The Impact of Visual Digital Unit Exposure on Ocular Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome Among Selangor Office Workers

Objective: Computer Visual Syndrome (CVS) is a common condition characterized by a range of ocular symptoms resulting from excessive screen time. As visual digital unit (VDU) usage has skyrocketed across all age groups, CVS has become a prevalent issue in both personal and professional life. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the impact of VDU and ocular symptoms of CVS among office workers in Selangor. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 46 office workers completed a self-reported Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) assessment using a questionnaire adapted from a previous study. The questionnaire includes 9 questions about ocular symptoms, rated on a 5-point scale: none, slight, moderate, severe, and very severe. Computer screen illumination was measured using a lux meter. To account for potential confounding factors, environmental conditions were also assessed. These included the number and type of light sources, window presence and size, window treatments, lighting fixture placement, and overall workspace cleanliness, following the guidelines on occupational safety and health for working with video display units by the Malaysia Department of Occupational Safety and Health.Results: Among all participants, the majority (93.5%) did not use anti-glare screen monitors and 20% had inadequate lighting with less than 450 lux. Of the respondents, 63% of the respondents reported experiencing eye strain and eye fatigue (60.9%) during work hours. Eye fatigue was the most commonly reported ocular symptom, with 24% of respondents experiencing it more than six times per week. Lighting reflector was found to be 3.5 times more prevalent to cause eye redness (odds ratio (OR)=3.50; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.50–24.33). The likelihood of experiencing eye strain due to the absence of an anti-glare was 1.8 times higher and the absence of a lighting reflector increased the likelihood by 1.7 times. Conclusion: The alarmingly high prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) among office workers underscores the critical need for immediate and effective ergonomic interventions. This research is imperative to identify specific risk factors and develop targeted strategies to mitigate the detrimental effects of prolonged VDU use on ocular health.