The Effect on the Dryness of Eye during VDT Work.

Cho, Yoonae A; Won, Jong Sang; An, Gi Jung

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 1996;37(12):1991-1995.
Published online December 1, 1996.

The Effect on the Dryness of Eye during VDT Work.

Yoonae A Cho, Jong Sang Won, Gi Jung An

Department of OphthaJmology, College of Medicin, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.

VDT 작업이 안구건조에 미치는 영향

조윤애(Yoon Ae A . Cho),원종상(Jong Sang Won),안기정(Gi Jung An)

Abstract

The ocular symptoms of visual display terminal (VDT) syndrome are caused by asthenopia, electromagnetic waves, and eye fatigue. To find out what cause make the fatigue of eye during VDT work, we measured frequency of blinking and height of palpebral fissure at near, reading a book, and during VDT work. Tear film break-up time(BUT) was measured immediately after the VDT work and during reading a book. The frequency of blinking during VDT work and book reading decreased significantly comparing with the one at rest (p<0.01). The average frequency of blinking is 20.52 +/- 5.89/min at rest, 8.29 +/- 4.15/min at VDT work, and 10.31 +/- 5.48/min at reading. The BUT measured immediately after VDT work decreased much more than in the resting state (p<0.01). The average BUT was 11.52 +/- 3.41sec at rest and 6.18 +/- 2.65sec immediately after VDT work. The height of palpebral fissure during VDT work increased significantly comparing with the value at rest (p<0.01). The average height of palpebral fissure was 7.39 +/- 0.78mm at rest and 8.83 +/- 0.75mm during VDT work. This study reveals the fatigue of eye during VDT work was induced by the dryness of eye resulted from the increased evaporation due to the decrement in the frequency of blinking and the widening of palpebral fissure. To prevent the fatigue of eye caused by dryness during VDT work, it is important for VDT workers to intend to blink frequently, place VDT lower than eye level to reduce the height of palpebral fissure, humidify the room adequately, put artificial eye tear in eye frequently, and take a rest after 20 mimutes work at least.

Key Words: Blinking;BUT;Dryness of eye;Palpebral fissure;Ocular VDT symptoms