DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a severe occupational health issue in the field of radiology because of the widespread application of digital displays (e.g., PACS) to interpret images. Although the risks of CVS are well known globally due to their visual strain, headaches, and decreased productivity, little research has been conducted on radiology personnel in low-resource countries. This paper explored the prevalence of CVS, risk factors, and symptom profile in radiology workers in Islamabad, Pakistan, where the use of digital healthcare is rapidly growing without the corresponding protective strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was done in 161 radiology employees (radiologists, technologists, nurses) of both government and privately owned hospitals in Islamabad. The participants were recruited through consecutive sampling and were evaluated with the help of the validated CVS-QT questionnaire that evaluated socio-demographics, screen exposure, ocular symptoms, and preventive practices. CVS was categorized as a symptom score of 6 or more, mild (6-19), moderate (10-14), or severe (15-18). The analysis of data was done in SPSS v 28, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests used to determine risk-symptom relationships (significance: p < 0.05). Results: The prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome among the radiology staff under investigation was 49.1%, with the severity of symptoms being mild (22.4%), moderate (15.5%), and severe (9.3%). The most common symptoms were headache, tearing eyes, and itching eyes, with 70.9%, 50.3%, and 47.9% of the participants reporting them, respectively. The top modifiable risk factors that were significantly linked to CVS were exposure to screen time all day long, more than five hours (45.3% of staff), poor workstation ergonomics where monitors are placed below eye level (47.2%), and lack of preventive measures (54.7%). It is worth noting that younger staff (20-29 years) and female workers had disproportionately increased rates of severe symptoms. There was a significant lack of protective measures, with only 31.7% taking regular breaks and only 5.0% using eye drops lubricating despite evidence-based recommendations. Conclusion: CVS is highly prevalent among Pakistani radiology staff, driven by modifiable occupational hazards: prolonged screen time, poor ergonomics, and inadequate eye protection. The disproportionate burden on younger professionals and women underscores the need for institutional interventions, including mandatory break protocols, ergonomic workstation redesigns, and accessible ocular health resources. Prioritizing these measures is essential to safeguard workforce well-being and diagnostic efficiency in radiology.