Prevalence of digital eyestrain in secretaries working in Adana province Cukurova University Balcali Hospital and its relationship with electromagnetic field

Introduction: All over the world, people of all age groups use electronic digital devices for both professional and recreational purposes. These devices, which make our lives easier, can harm human health when used incorrectly. For this reason, global digitalization has brought the effects of radiation on health back on the agenda and many researches have been done on this subject. Many devices we use at home and at work consist of non-ionizing radiation, 'Low-frequency and high-frequency electromagnetic fields. After exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic field, many visual sensitivities may occur, including headache, nausea, muscle spasm, seeing light in the eyes without light (retinal phosphene). For this reason, countries have determined their own national standards in order to protect themselves from the health effects that may occur after exposure to electromagnetic field. Computer Vision Syndrome describes similar symptoms such as watery eyes, burning, stinging, dryness, flashes of light, and headaches. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CVS among secretaries working in different departments of Adana Çukurova University Balcalı Hospital (Turkey) and to determine its relationship with the electromagnetic field (EMF). Materials 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. Each secretary was evaluated by ophthalmologists for CVS. Findings: The mean age of 143 people included in our study was 39.61 years. 25.2% of the participants are male and 74.8% are female. According to the CVS-Q scale results of the participants, it was observed that 83.9% of them had digital eye fatigue syndrome. There was no significant difference in terms of gender and age in terms of CVS development. A weak positive correlation was found with CVS-Q and EMA. A moderately strong negative correlation was found between EMA measurements and Schirmer measurements in both eyes. The working environment EMA values of people with CVS were found to be statistically significantly higher(p<0,05). Factors that increase the risk of CVS; It has been found that the high EMA of the working environment (>1725 µT, OR=3.27), the increase in the working time(OR=1.09), the presence of lamp reflections / glare from the sun or the indoor environment on the screen(OR=4.15), having a known eye disease and the use of glasses-lenses. In the linear regression analysis, a one-unit increase in the low-frequency EMA of the environment causes 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: Digital Eye Strain Syndrome; Dry Eyes; Electromagnetic Field; EMF; Computer Vision Syndrome