Physiological assessment of visual fatigue in workers using computer displays

Abstract

Introduction. The use of various types of computer displays not only in work, but also in educational and daily activities makes it necessary to study the features of the functional state of the body during visually strenuous work using electronic devices for visual display of information. The study aims to assess the level of visual stress and work intensity, the features of visual fatigue in work using computer displays to develop measures to prevent fatigue. Materials and methods. Studies of the physiological features of the formation of visual fatigue included an assessment of fatigue depending on the total screen time, the type of information image (alphanumeric and graphical). Specialists conducted an ophthalmological examination and dynamic monitoring of the functional state of the visual analyzer. The authors applied a set of physiological methods: determination of the volume of accommodation (VA), time of perception of sequential contrast (TPSC). The study involved employees of five professional groups: translators, editors, operators, telegraph operators, fabric distributors using computer displays in their work (a total of 131 people). The control group is represented by employees who perform similar work using paper media. Results. It is shown that for operators in the process of their work, the features of the formation of a functional state are closely interrelated with the amount of workload determined by the total duration of fixing the gaze on the screen and the type of information image per shift. The researchers observed the most unfavorable physiological reactions when continuously working with a computer display with alphanumeric information for more than two hours. They also revealed a relationship between the development of fatigue, the degree of physiological shifts and the total time of fixing the gaze on a computer display with various types of information images. Limitations. There are limitations due to the peculiarities of collecting (receiving) physiological data. Conclusion. The conducted research served as the basis for rationing the time spent working with the display screen of various types of information images (Manual p.2.2.2006-05), developing recommendations for the prevention of visual fatigue in professional users of computer displays. Ethics. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health (Protocol No. 4 dated 04/14/2021)