Covid-19: Telework, symptomatology and visual alterations. Agrofood company. Venezuela. 2021-2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teleworking was implemented as an organizational strategy without evaluating the conditions of home work, causing effects on visual health and increasing consultation in the ophthalmological area. Objective: To determine the working conditions, ocular symptoms and visual alterations in teleworkers of agri-food companies. Methodology: descriptive cross-sectional field research. 23 workers participated. Instruments and technique: Review of morbidity records and occupational medical history; visual acuity survey and assessment; Technical Guide for the Assessment and Prevention of Risks Associated with the Use of Display Screen Equipment; Annex III of the Specific Health Surveillance Protocol for workers with data display screens (PVD), CVSS Questionnaire17. Results: 52% were female, mean age ±40.7, work seniority ±6.26 years; 100% of workers telework between 6-8 hours a day. They perceived aspects of the seat, screen, keyboard, computer/worker interconnection, glare-reflections, presence of noise and heat as risk factors. Level of ocular symptomatology: moderate (91%). Refractive problems: Myopia (67%) and Astigmatism (55%). 22% required the indication of corrective lenses and 38.8% presented an increase in diopters after the start of teleworking. Conclusion: The conditions of home work were perceived to be inadequate due to the presence of disergonomic and physical risk factors, as well as long working hours, which generated eye discomfort and increased ocular refraction lesions. Recommendation: reduce teleworking hours, raise awareness about safe working conditions at home and visual epidemiological surveillance.