Predictive Factors Affecting Severe Computer Vision Syndrome among Support Staff at Universities in Lampang, Thailand

Background Computers have become essential components of technology in the workplace. Therefore, the prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) caused by interaction with computer screens has grown significantly. Prolonged work at a computer without adequate preventive measures can intensify its effects. This study aims to investigate the association between predictive factors and severe CVS among university support staff. Methods This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 university support staff. Participants were categorized into non-severe and severe CVS groups using self-administered questionnaires. The data were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression. Results The study findings revealed that 37.5% of participants experienced severe CVS. Certain characteristics were found to increase the risk of severe CVS: working on a computer for more than five hours per day (OR = 3.01, p = 0.048), time spent staring at a screen for ≥ 60 minutes (OR = 2.39, p = 0.024), tablet use (OR = 2.14, p = 0.042), and dry eyes (OR = 2.97, p = 0.004), with an area under the ROC curve (AuROC) of 75.54%. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that four predictive factors of severe CVS could be used to develop an assessment system for forecasting and monitoring early severe CVS, potentially helping to reduce disease severity. Additionally, these findings could assist organizations in identifying risks and providing effective guidance for managing health issues related to computer use among staff.