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Convergence-Related Visual Symptoms Across Occupations with Varying Near Visual Demands: A Cross-Sectional Study with
1Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.
Purpose:
Convergence insufficiency (CI) is a common binocular vision disorder associated with visual discomfort during near tasks, yet occupational differences in convergence-related symptoms remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to compare convergence-related symptom burden across eight occupational categories using the validated Arabic Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS) and to identify which occupational groups show the greatest symptom burden.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional survey, adults aged 18 years or older from the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia completed the validated Arabic CISS. Participants represented eight occupational categories. Individuals with high refractive error or dry eye disease were excluded. Symptomatic status was defined as CISS ≥21. Differences in prevalence across occupations were assessed using chi-square tests. Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors after adjustment for age and gender.
Results:
A total of 751 participants were included (mean age 28.9 ± 9.1 years; 56.3% male). The overall mean CISS score was 16.9 ± 10.7, and 268 participants (35.7%) met the symptomatic threshold. Although unadjusted prevalence did not differ significantly across occupations (χ2(7)= 7.63, p= 0.367), adjusted analysis showed higher odds of symptomatic CISS among technology professionals (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.16-4.02, p= 0.015), engineers (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.13-3.91, p= 0.018), and students (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.08-3.81, p= 0.029) compared with health professionals. Increasing age was associated with symptomatic status (OR 1.04 per year, p< 0.001), whereas gender was not significant (p= 0.158).
Conclusion:
Convergence-related symptoms are common in working-age adults and show occupational variation after adjustment for demographic factors. Occupations with sustained near visual demands may warrant targeted vision screening and clinical evaluation for convergence insufficiency, supporting the integration of visual health into occupational health policies and preventive healthcare strategies.
