Academic Journal
Objective Assessment of Visual Workload in Video Display Terminal Workers Using a Non-Invasive Monitoring System.
| Title: | Objective Assessment of Visual Workload in Video Display Terminal Workers Using a Non-Invasive Monitoring System. |
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| Authors: | Marelli E; Unit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., Ruongo D; Unit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., Beschi G; Eye Unit, ASST SpedaliCivili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Eye Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., Valsecchi N; Eye Unit, ASST SpedaliCivili di Brescia,Brescia, Italy; Eye Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., Romano V; Eye Unit, ASST SpedaliCivili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Eye Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., Semeraro F; Eye Unit, ASST SpedaliCivili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Eye Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., Dalola S; Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., Sala E; Unit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., Tomasi C; Unit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., Ferrari V; Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., Ferrari M; Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy., De Palma G; Unit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. |
| Source: | La Medicina del lavoro [Med Lav] 2026 Jun 24; Vol. 117 (3), pp. 18795. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jun 24. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Observational Study |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Mattioli 1885 Country of Publication: Italy NLM ID: 0401176 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0025-7818 (Print) Linking ISSN: 00257818 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Med Lav Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Fidenza : Mattioli 1885 Original Publication: Milano : Società italiana di medicina del lavoro. |
| MeSH Terms: | Occupational Diseases*/diagnosis , Occupational Diseases*/etiology , Workload* , Computer Terminals*, Fatigue/etiology ; Humans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Blinking ; Video Recording ; Fixation, Ocular |
| Abstract: | Background: The risk assessment for video display terminal (VDT) operators in occupational settings often relies on indirect estimates, such as self-reported screen time, which may not accurately reflect the true visual workload. The objective is to assess visual workload in VDT workers by measuring active screen fixation time with a non-invasive monitoring system and to explore its relationship with ocular surface alterations and fatigue-related indicators. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 38 administrative workers employed at a hospital booking center. Active VDT screen fixation, as well as shift duration and time spent in front of the VDT screen, were objectively measured using a patented video-based monitoring system. Ophthalmological evaluation included the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI®), tear break-up time (BUT), and slit-lamp examination. Other investigated markers included blink rate, the Percentage of Eyelid Closure over the Pupil over Time (PERCLOS), and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Results: Active screen fixation accounted for approximately 60% of the total recorded working time. Ophthalmological assessment identified alterations of the ocular surface in a substantial proportion of workers, with pathological BUT values observed in nearly half (47%) of the study population. No statistically significant associations were found between objectively measured fixation time and ocular or fatigue-related outcomes. PERCLOS80 and blink rate values remained within physiological ranges across the work shift. Conclusions: Objective measurement of screen fixation provides a more accurate characterization of visual workload among VDT workers than indirect exposure estimates and may support occupational health surveillance and risk assessment in VDT-exposed workers. |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260624 Date Completed: 20260624 Latest Revision: 20260729 |
| Update Code: | 20260729 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13353174 |
| DOI: | 10.23749/mdl.2026.18795 |
| PMID: | 42340219 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 0025-7818 |
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| DOI: | 10.23749/mdl.2026.18795 |