The Effects of Video Display Terminals on Eye Surfaces

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effects of computer use on the ocular surface of healthy people using Keratograph D. Design: Use a prospective cohort study method, select subjects that meet the standards, use experimental group and control group based on whether or not used video display terminals (computers), and set the time point of observation at 60 min and 120 min use of computers. Subjects: In total 80 eyes from 40 nurses have been selected for this study. The experimental group includes 46 eyes from 23 nurses who used computer at work and the control group includes 34 eyes from 17 nurses who did not use computer or other video terminals at work. All nurses were working at the First People’s Hospital of Changde City at Hunan Province in China. Methods: Let subjects using computer for 60 min and 120 min. Record data for every subject (both eyes) before and after computer uses. The data was recorded by experienced ophthalmologists using Keratograph D. Main Outcome Measures: This study investigated the tear film breakup time (BUT) and tear meniscus height (TMH) using Keratograph D for both groups before work, at 60 min and 120 min of work. Results: We found the tear meniscus height of the experimental group at 60 min and 120 min were both significantly lower than the control group. The average tear film breakup time of the experimental group at 120min was significantly lower than the control group. Conclusions: This study found that the use of computer over 60 min has adverse effects on ocular surface of healthy people.