Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
4th International 33rd National Turkish Biophysics Congress, Adıyaman, Türkiye, 31 Ağustos - 03 Eylül 2022, ss.151
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of digital eye strain syndrome among secretaries working in different departments of Adana Çukurova University Balcalı Hospital (Türkiye) and to determine its relationship with the electromagnetic field (EMF).
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 143 secretaries working in different departments of the hospital. Besides eye examinations, Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire Scale (CVS-Q), Ocular Surface Disease Index Scale (OSDI) and Cornell Musculoskeletal System Questionnaire were applied to the participants. Low-frequency EMF measurements of the working environment were measured with a 6010 Gauss/Teslameter device and high-frequency EMF measurements with a Narda NBM-520 device. The light intensity of the environment was also measured with an LX-1102 Device
Results: The mean age of participants was 39.61 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 25.2% to 74.8%. CVS-Q scale revealed 83.9% of digital eye strain syndrome among participants. A positive, but weak correlation was found between CVS-Q and EMF, while a moderately strong, negative correlation was found between EMF measurements and Schirmer measurements of both eyes. The working environment EMF values of people with CVS were found to be statistically significantly higher (p<0.05). The logistic regression analysis formulated to predict digital eyestrain syndrome revealed that every 1.071 μT increase in ambient low-frequency EMF increased CVS risk 2.91 times. In the linear regression analysis, a one-unit increase in the low-frequency EMF of the environment was found to result in an increase of 0.004 units in the CVS-Q score.
Conclusion: A moderate relationship between digital eye strain syndrome and EMF was observed among people exposed to low-frequency EMF. This leads us to recommend regular measurement of EMF in working environments, developing protective behaviours (break intervals, 20-20-20 rules, etc.) for those working in risky areas, and providing necessary training for protection from non-ionizing radiation.
Keywords: Eye strain syndrome, Dry eyes, electromagnetic field, EMF, Computer vision syndrome