Visual demands and visual fatigue among ophthalmologists

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ophthalmology
• Visual Science

Background:

• Increasing visual demands in the workplace can lead to asthenopia.
• Ophthalmologists face significant visual effort in their daily tasks.
• Understanding occupational visual health for ophthalmologists is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of visual complaints among ophthalmologists.
• To investigate the link between work demands and visual complaints.
• To assess visual fatigue in ophthalmologists at a university hospital.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the College of Optometrists in Vision Development Quality of Life (COVD-QoL) questionnaire for symptom assessment.
• Measured near points of accommodation and convergence.
• Assessed tear production using Schirmer's test.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of visual fatigue (n=25) and dry eyes (n=27) was reported by physicians.
• Schirmer's test showed differences in tear production by the end of the workday.
• Near point measurements indicated the occurrence of visual fatigue.

Conclusions:

• Ophthalmologists experience significant visual fatigue at the end of their workday.
• There are notable differences in visual function from the beginning to the end of the workday.
• Occupational visual disorder prevention requires a dedicated health surveillance program.