Academic Journal
Occupational exposure to video display terminals: a systematic review of ocular and visual health effects and associated risk factors.
| Title: | Occupational exposure to video display terminals: a systematic review of ocular and visual health effects and associated risk factors. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Artime-Ríos E; Occupational Health Service, Healthcare Area IV, Public Health Service of the Principality of Asturias (SESPA), Oviedo, Spain., Seguí-Crespo M; Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.; Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain., Doménech-Amigot B; Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.; Image Analysis, Optical Systems and Vision Research Group, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain., Sánchez-Brau M; Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain., Suárez-Sánchez A; Department of Business Administration, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain., Ramada-Rodilla JM; Hospital del Mar Research Institute - IMIM, Barcelona, Spain.; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain. |
| Source: | Journal of occupational health [J Occup Health] 2026 Jan 06; Vol. 68 (1). |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Systematic Review |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Oxford University Press Country of Publication: Australia NLM ID: 9616320 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1348-9585 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13419145 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Occup Health Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2024- : [Oxford] : Oxford University Press Original Publication: Tokyo : Japan Society for Occupational Health, [1996- |
| MeSH Terms: | Occupational Exposure*/adverse effects , Occupational Diseases*/etiology , Occupational Diseases*/epidemiology , Computer Terminals*, Dry Eye Syndromes/etiology ; Dry Eye Syndromes/epidemiology ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Female ; Male |
| Abstract: | Objectives: To synthesize ocular and visual effects caused by occupational exposure to video display terminals (VDTs). Additionally, we aimed to identify the occupational and nonoccupational risk and protective factors related to these effects, and to propose a conceptual mapping to manage affected workers. Methods: The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO and the systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A search of MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed to identify studies published between January 2006 and December 2023. Only primary studies were included. Study quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool based on STROBE statements for cross-sectional studies and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network checklist for randomized controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies. Low-quality studies were excluded. Results: Eighty-five articles were included, 50 of high quality. The main ocular and visual effects were computer vision syndrome, dry eye disease, and other isolated signs and symptoms. The main risk factors were the daily hours of VDT exposure, female gender, use of ophthalmic or contact lenses, increasing age, altered lighting conditions, and job seniority. Breaks, adequate workstation design, and ergonomic improvements were the main protective factors. Psychosocial factors and lifestyle behaviors also may influence ocular and visual health at work. Conclusions: Wide methodological variations were found, making it difficult to compare studies. Nevertheless, an evidence-informed conceptual mapping has been proposed that could be used as a starting point to guide preventive measures in VDT work settings. Further research with appropriate epidemiological designs is needed to establish causal relationships or determine temporal sequences between exposures and outcomes. (© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press.) |
| References: | Ophthalmology. 2008 Nov;115(11):1982-8. (PMID: 18708259) Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):334-365. (PMID: 28736337) Healthcare (Basel). 2023 May 22;11(10):. (PMID: 37239805) PLoS One. 2010 Jun 15;5(6):e11119. (PMID: 20559543) Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022 Jun;28(2):1033-1041. (PMID: 33517862) Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 7;9(1):3783. (PMID: 30846779) Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Feb 05;17(3):. (PMID: 32033372) Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 22;19(7):. (PMID: 35409467) Am J Ophthalmol. 2013 Oct;156(4):759-66. (PMID: 23891330) Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022 Jun;28(2):1219-1226. (PMID: 33648427) SAGE Open Nurs. 2022 Sep 21;8:23779608221127948. (PMID: 36160691) PLoS One. 2019 Nov 18;14(11):e0225198. (PMID: 31738798) Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 13;16(14):. (PMID: 31337021) J Epidemiol. 2018 Apr 5;28(4):214-219. (PMID: 29176274) Ergonomics. 2012;55(8):854-62. (PMID: 22676548) Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2021 Jul;41(4):922-931. (PMID: 33945635) Int J Equity Health. 2013 Aug 05;12:57. (PMID: 23915121) Ann Occup Environ Med. 2023 May 09;35:e8. (PMID: 37342825) Ergonomics. 2017 May;60(5):680-691. (PMID: 27258596) Eur J Ophthalmol. 2015 Mar-Apr;25(2):85-9. (PMID: 25363850) Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Aug 30;16(17):. (PMID: 31480256) PLoS One. 2014 Aug 21;9(8):e105575. (PMID: 25144638) BMC Res Notes. 2016 Mar 09;9:150. (PMID: 26956624) Acta Ophthalmol. 2022 Jun;100(4):357-375. (PMID: 34697901) PLoS One. 2022 Jul 19;17(7):e0268356. (PMID: 35853006) Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2007 Jul;30(3):174-82. (PMID: 17293157) Tohoku J Exp Med. 2014;233(3):215-20. (PMID: 25055758) Gac Sanit. 2014 Nov-Dec;28(6):511-21. (PMID: 25189674) J Occup Health Psychol. 1996 Jan;1(1):27-41. (PMID: 9547031) Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2023 Aug;46(4):101854. (PMID: 37173175) Am J Ophthalmol. 2014 Jul;158(1):41-48.e2. (PMID: 24631759) Clin Ophthalmol. 2020 Dec 08;14:4311-4317. (PMID: 33335383) Clin Exp Optom. 2015 May;98(3):228-33. (PMID: 25963113) Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Aug 28;99(35):e21699. (PMID: 32871886) Optom Vis Sci. 2017 Jun;94(6):688-693. (PMID: 28538336) Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023 Mar;27(5):1801-1807. (PMID: 36930473) Work. 2012;41 Suppl 1:3568-74. (PMID: 22317263) Optom Vis Sci. 2018 Nov;95(11):1046-1053. (PMID: 30339644) Am J Ophthalmol. 2015 Apr;159(4):748-54. (PMID: 25555800) J Occup Health. 2015;57(3):253-8. (PMID: 25752660) Ann Occup Environ Med. 2023 Jan 09;35:e1. (PMID: 36819846) Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Apr 18;11(8):. (PMID: 37107994) Int J Ophthalmol. 2018 Oct 18;11(10):1691-1697. (PMID: 30364241) Clin Exp Optom. 2021 Aug;104(6):698-704. (PMID: 33689614) Clin Ophthalmol. 2016 Nov 24;10:2337-2343. (PMID: 27920494) North Clin Istanb. 2018 Aug 08;5(4):319-322. (PMID: 30859162) Sensors (Basel). 2019 Jun 22;19(12):. (PMID: 31234490) Am J Ophthalmol. 2011 Dec;152(6):933-940.e2. (PMID: 21871600) Environ Health Insights. 2022 Jul 12;16:11786302221111865. (PMID: 35846168) Minerva Med. 2006 Dec;97(6):459-66. (PMID: 17213782) JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014 Aug;132(8):985-92. (PMID: 24903353) Exp Eye Res. 2013 Dec;117:88-98. (PMID: 23886658) Sci Rep. 2016 Jun 14;6:27699. (PMID: 27297822) Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2023 Jul;43(4):885-897. (PMID: 37073817) J Physiol Anthropol. 2007 Mar;26(2):69-73. (PMID: 17435346) SAGE Open Med. 2022 Dec 9;10:20503121221142402. (PMID: 36518554) Turk J Ophthalmol. 2022 Oct 28;52(5):295-301. (PMID: 36317741) Curr Eye Res. 2018 Sep;43(9):1119-1125. (PMID: 29741396) Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2018 Apr;91(3):327-335. (PMID: 29204707) Acta Ophthalmol. 2022 Feb;100(1):45-57. (PMID: 33938134) J Clin Epidemiol. 2008 Apr;61(4):344-9. (PMID: 18313558) J Fr Ophtalmol. 2021 Dec;44(10):1605-1610. (PMID: 34657757) Gac Sanit. 2008 Sep-Oct;22(5):492-7. (PMID: 19000532) Clin Exp Optom. 2019 Sep;102(5):463-477. (PMID: 30663136) PeerJ. 2023 Mar 3;11:e14937. (PMID: 36890870) Int Ophthalmol. 2023 Sep;43(9):3237-3245. (PMID: 37103757) Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Feb 20;59(2):. (PMID: 36837613) Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2022 Sep;28(3):1787-1792. (PMID: 34082647) J West Afr Coll Surg. 2022 Jul-Sep;12(3):71-78. (PMID: 36388743) PLoS Med. 2018 Jan 23;15(1):e1002494. (PMID: 29360829) Exp Gerontol. 2012 Jul;47(7):483-90. (PMID: 22569356) Int Ophthalmol. 2023 May;43(5):1537-1544. (PMID: 36239837) Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2011 Sep;31(5):502-15. (PMID: 21480937) Diagnostics (Basel). 2021 Feb 25;11(3):. (PMID: 33668951) Med J Armed Forces India. 2016 Jul;72(3):270-6. (PMID: 27546968) J Adv Nurs. 2022 Jul;78(7):2095-2110. (PMID: 35112736) Eye (Lond). 2008 Jan;22(1):91-5. (PMID: 17962818) Int Ophthalmol. 2019 Jun;39(6):1315-1322. (PMID: 29881936) Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2020 Jan;93(1):29-42. (PMID: 31286223) J Occup Environ Med. 2023 Jan 1;65(1):34-38. (PMID: 35914288) J Occup Rehabil. 2018 Mar;28(1):1-15. (PMID: 28224415) Diabet Med. 2016 Aug;33(8):1013-25. (PMID: 26577885) BMJ. 2021 Mar 29;372:n160. (PMID: 33781993) Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2016 Mar;36(2):112-9. (PMID: 26743161) Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2016 Jan;89(1):7-22. (PMID: 25827942) Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):276-283. (PMID: 28736335) Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 May 23;16(10):. (PMID: 31126060) Clin Exp Optom. 2019 Sep;102(5):478-484. (PMID: 30653712) Acad Radiol. 2022 Sep;29(9):e197-e204. (PMID: 34836777) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007 Sep;48(9):4026-32. (PMID: 17724183) Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2012 Sep;32(5):375-82. (PMID: 22775070) Ocul Surf. 2023 Oct;30:53-56. (PMID: 37595798) Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2020 Oct 27;17(1):133. (PMID: 33109190) Work. 2011;39(1):67-78. (PMID: 21673430) Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 Apr;47(4):1319-28. (PMID: 16565363) Campbell Syst Rev. 2022 Mar 27;18(2):e1230. (PMID: 36911350) Turk J Ophthalmol. 2019 Jun 27;49(3):142-148. (PMID: 31245976) Work. 2022;73(s1):S169-S176. (PMID: 36189512) Ind Health. 2007 Apr;45(2):328-33. (PMID: 17485878) Nepal J Ophthalmol. 2020 Jul;12(24):245-251. (PMID: 33978619) Clin Ophthalmol. 2012;6:1303-6. (PMID: 22927744) Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2021 Aug;28(4):285-292. (PMID: 33369521) |
| Grant Information: | PREVENT Foundation, Spain, XIV Research and Development Grants in Occupational Health and Safety, 2020 |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: asthenopia; computer vision syndrome; dry eye disease; occupational exposure; video display terminal; visual health |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251222 Date Completed: 20260109 Latest Revision: 20260128 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12788861 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/joccuh/uiaf073 |
| PMID: | 41423906 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1348-9585 |
|---|---|
| DOI: | 10.1093/joccuh/uiaf073 |