A Scoping Review of Ergonomics in Ophthalmology: Working Smarter

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are prevalent among ophthalmologists due to maladaptive working postures. WMSDs can lead to career-interrupting or career-ending disabilities in ophthalmologists. There is a need for summative research on ophthalmology-specific strategies to reduce WMSD risk such as: utilizing ergonomically designed microscopes, workflows, and workspaces, adopting ergonomic best practices, and engaging in injury prevention training. This scoping review aims to consolidate all ophthalmology-specific WMSD prevention strategies published in literature to provide a practical resources for ophthalmologists and a foundation for future researc. This review summarizes published ergonomic optimization strategies to mitigate WMSD risk in ophthalmology.

A systematic search was conducted in Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CENTRAL, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science from inception to June 2023. Primary and secondary research articles, as well as conference abstracts, were included if they assessed at least 1 ergonomics-related outcome in ophthalmology. Reference lists of included studies were hand-searched for additional relevant literature.

Of 3,596 retrieved articles, 33 epidemiologic studies, 36 interventional studies, and 25 secondary research articles met inclusion criteria. Factors associated with reduced WMSD risk included system and individual factors such as ergonomic equipment design and workspace ergonomics, optimizing personal working postures, and individual physical endurance.

WMSDs in ophthalmologists are primarily linked to forward head posture at the slit lamp and operating microscope. Published injury prevention strategies include: the use of ergonomically designed digital operating microscopes that do not require forward head posture, injury prevention education for ophthalmologists, maintenance of individual physical fitness and the adoption of ergonomic recommendations suggested by many authors. Gaps in the literature include: evidence on the efficacy of these strategies, formal ergonomic best practice guidelines and subspecialty-specific ergonomic recommendations. Based on the literature reviewed, the authors propose an evidence-informed framework for improving ergonomics and reducing WMSDs for ophthalmologists, trainees, and institutions.