Relationship between low-frequency electromagnetic field and computer vision syndrome

O. Kösek, B. Mete, I. Öcal, K. Yar, H. Demirhindi, M. Tokuş

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. burakmete2008@gmail.com

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• Occupational Medicine

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) among secretaries working in different departments of a university hospital in Turkey and its relationship with low-frequency electromagnetic field (LF-EMF) exposure.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 143 secretaries working in different departments of the hospital. Besides eye examinations, CVS Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q) Scale and Ocular Surface Disease Index Scale (OSDI) were applied to the participants. LF-EMF of the work environment were measured with a 6010 Gauss/Teslameter device and the light intensity with an LX-1102 Device.

RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 39.6 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 25.2% to 74.8%. CVS-Q scale revealed 83.9% of computer vision syndrome among participants. A weak positive correlation was found between CVS-Q and LF-EMF, while a moderately strong, negative correlation was found between LF-EMF and Schirmer test of both eyes. The work environment LF-EMF values were significantly higher among the participants diagnosed with CVS (p<0.05). The risk of CVS was found to increase 3.27 times when the ambient LF-EMF was >1,725 µT and an increase of 0.004 units in the CVS-Q score was calculated for each one-unit increase in the LF-EMF of the environment.

CONCLUSIONS: A relationship between CVS, dry eye and EMF was observed among people exposed to LF-EMF. Regular measurement of EMF in work environments, and developing protective behaviours (work-break intervals, 20-20-20 rule, etc.) can be recommended.

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