"Healthy" eye in office-like environments
1National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. pwo@nrcwe.dk
Environment International
|May 24, 2008
Summary
Dry eye symptoms are common in offices. Maintaining relative humidity above 40% and taking breaks can improve precorneal tear film (PTF) stability and reduce eye irritation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Indoor Environmental Science
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Eye irritation and dry eye symptoms are prevalent in indoor environments like offices and aircraft cabins.
- These symptoms are linked to alterations in the precorneal tear film (PTF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize ophthalmological and indoor environmental knowledge on eye irritation.
- To identify environmental, occupational, and individual risk factors affecting the PTF and eye comfort.
Main Methods:
- Literature review merging ophthalmological and indoor environmental science data.
- Identification of risk factors associated with PTF alteration and desiccation.
Main Results:
- Low relative humidity, reduced atmospheric pressure, and visual display unit (VDU) work negatively impact the PTF.
- VDU work decreases blink frequency, increasing ocular surface exposure.
- Relative humidity above 40% is shown to be beneficial for PTF health.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors (humidity, temperature, draft), occupational factors (VDU use), and individual factors (gender, cosmetics) influence PTF integrity.
- Maintaining adequate humidity (>40%) and adopting work strategies (low gaze, breaks) can preserve PTF stability and work performance, mitigating eye irritation.
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