INTRODUCTION:

“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”

Joel A. Barker

Computers are everywhere from kitchen to concrete mixers, from planes to pockets. The viewing of electronic displays has become a huge part of daily living at home, at work, during leisure time and the move. The use of laptop, desktop and tablet computers, Smartphone and electronic reading devices has become ubiquitous. It has become backbone of today’s occupational settings and heartbeats of the modern world. It has created a brand new environment. Life in 21st century has become easier and more comfortable as compared to olden times; a major contributor to this development is the use of modern technologies. We cannot imagine today's life without computers. Nowadays, computers have become a part of education, business, e-trading, socializing, chatting and recreation. More and more people today are spending a major share of their day playing with the keyboard and mouse.

Some decades back, before the advent of computers, the office work involved a range of activities, including typing, filing, reading and writing etc. All these activities are different from each other and needed different types of posture and vision, causing a natural break from each activity. With the computer all these activities were combined and needed no change of posture or vision of the user from his desktop. It certainly improved the quality of the work and efficiency but caused ocular problems, such as dry eye, redness, irritation, eye strain, tired eyes, temporary blurred vision, light sensitivity and muscular problems that stem from using a computer. All these symptoms collectively referred to as computer vision syndrome, which comprised of ocular surface abnormalities or accommodative spasms and/or extra-ocular (ergonomic) etiologies due to improper posture such as neck and upper back pain and headache.¹

In most cases, symptoms of CVS occur because the visual demands of the task exceed the visual abilities of the individual to comfortably perform them. At greatest risk for developing CVS are those persons who spend two or more continuous hours at a computer or using a digital screen device every day.²

In many studies, VDT exposure at work has been associated with an increase in visual complaints. Ocular and vision-related symptoms that result from the prolonged use of desktop and laptop computers, tablets, e-readers, and smart phones are known as computer vision syndrome (CVS). CVS depends on numerous factors derived from the demands of tasks, the characteristics of the workplace and the visual characteristics of the worker. The eyes must focus on the screen, the documents, andthe keyboard with continuous changes in accommodation and convergence. In addition, good coordination of eye movements is required for merging images from both eyes, as is adequate binocular vision. However, the concentration usually involved in reading tasks causes a reduced frequency and amplitude in blinking, which increases the tear film evaporation altering the ocular surface and leading to discomfort Additionally, poor lighting, screen reflections, inappropriate working distances and postures, and certain temperature and humidity conditions can increase this symptomatology. Sex, age, some pharmacological treatments, uncorrected refractive errors, and even the type of optical compensation may also be influential.³

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), the most frequent health complaints among computer workers are vision-related. Studies indicate that 50 to 90 percent of computer users suffer from visual symptoms of computer vision syndrome. These symptoms include eye strain, dry eyes, eye irritation, blurred vision and double vision. With more and more of us using a computer at work, Computer Vision Syndrome is becoming a major public health issue. The AOA reports that a survey of optometrists found that approximately 10 million eye exams are performed annually in the United States due to vision problems related to computer use.⁴

NEED OF THE STUDY:

The most frequently occurring health related problems among computer users were neck and back pain, shoulder and wrist pain, CVS, an over use syndrome resulting in ocular and musculoskeletal discomfort. Students who are frequent computer users are at increased risk of poor postural problems and CVS. A high percentage of computer users have been found to have under or uncorrected vision problems which may affect their visual performance and comfort.⁵

The prevalence of CVS ranges from 64% to 90% amongst computer users with nearly 60 million people affected globally. A nationwide study in Sri Lanka reported that more than two-thirds of computer users in office were suffering from CVS. A couple of studies conducted in Gondar, Ethiopia, reported that more than 73% of computer users who are working as secretaries, data processors, and bankers were developing CVS.⁶

According to Healthline, 04/03/2021, Eye strain caused by screens has its own name. It’s called computer vision syndrome (CVS). In a study published by the Nepalese Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers examined computer use and its effects on the eyes of university students in Malaysia. Almost 90 percent of the 795 students had symptoms of CVS after just two continuous hours of computer usage.⁷

According to Occupational Therapy International (April 2020), this study shows that A total of 248 bank workers completed the questionnaire fully, which was a response rate of 93.5% (n = 234). Among them, 155 (66.20%) were males and the majority of the respondents were in the age group of 20-39 years (223, 95.3%). The study revealed that from 234 respondents, 211 (90.20%) was aware of computer vision syndrome, while 26.9% of them had a good knowledge about the disorder. Majority of the respondents (40, 17.1%) cited mass media as a source of information.⁸

A US-based survey conducted on 10,000 adults found that almost 3 in 4 American adults in their 20s reported symptoms of DES and more than 90% of those in their 30s are at risk of DES after spending 2 or more hours a day using digital devices. The report also found that more than 60% of adults in their 40s to 50s experience 1 or more symptoms of DES. Adults in their 60s were no exception, with more than 50% found to be experiencing symptoms of DES.⁹

A study conducted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Optometry examined the relationship between the vision of computer workers and their productivity in the workplace. This study found that (1) a direct correlation between proper vision correction and productivity. (2) A direct correlation between proper vision correction and the time required for a computer worker to perform a task. (3) Reduced productivity even among computer users who were unaware they had vision problems. According to the UAB study, the economic benefit to employers of providing computer eyewear to their employees can be determined by measuring the average gain in productivity for computer workers over a one-year period, and dividing this productivity gain by the costs associated with the eyewear. Study results show that:

· Providing computer vision care to all employees who use computers, even those who are not experiencing Computer Vision Syndrome symptoms, results in significant productivity gains and cost savings for employers.

· Musculoskeletal problems, which may be caused by computer-related vision problems, can potentially be minimized or eliminated by including computer vision care in a comprehensive vision care benefits program.

· Employees performing tasks with particularly demanding visual requirements, such as accounting, document editing, CAD (computer-assisted design) work, electronic design and engineering, could benefit even more from computer eyewear than the average computer worker.

· A computer vision benefits program likely will also lower incidence of workers' compensation claims among computer workers.¹⁰

According to Stephanie Watson, eye problems caused by computer use fall under the heading computer vision syndrome (CVS). It isn’t one specific problem. Instead, it includes a whole range of eye strain and discomfort. Research shows that between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen have at least some symptoms.¹¹

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding computer vision syndrome among office employees in selected companies of Mehsana district.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

· To assess the knowledge regarding computer vision syndrome among office employees.

· To evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding computer vision syndrome among office employees.

· To find out the association between knowledge with their selected demographic variables.

HYPOTHESES:

· H0: There will be no significant difference between pre-test and post-test knowledge score regarding computer vision syndrome among office employees at 0.05 level of significance.

· H1: There will be significant difference between pre-test and post-test knowledge score regarding computer vision syndrome after administration of structured teaching programme among office employees at 0.05 level of significance.

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

Pre experimental one group pre-test post-test research design and Quantitative Approach. Effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding computer vision syndrome among office employees in selected companies of Mehsana district. The data was collected from 100 office employees. “Non-probability Convenient” sampling technique were used. A structured knowledge questionnaire was selected to assess the knowledge regarding computer vision syndrome.

RESULT:

Demographic data was analyzed using frequency and percentage. Frequencies, percentage, mean, mean percentage (%) and standard deviation was used to determine the knowledge score. The “t” value was computed to show the effectiveness of structured teaching programme and chi-square test was done to determine the association between the pre-test knowledge of office employees with selected demographic variables.

Finding related to demographic data:

In this study overall the highest percentage in the demographic data including the Age group 40% (31-40 years), Gender 78% (Male), General education status 44% (Graduation in computer science), Total number of years of working on computer 33% (>8.1 years), Working department of company 28 % (Other), Type of computer work 27% (Graphic), Total number of hours working on computer per day 46% (9-12 hours), Total number of hours continuously working on computer per day 66% (≥6 hours), Use anti-reflective coating eyeglasses 100% (No), Use spectacles 65% (No) and Knowledge regarding computer vision syndrome 62% (No).

Finding related to pre and post knowledge score:

Pre-test prior to the administration of structured teaching programme, 15% of office employees had poor knowledge (score: 0 - 7) and 85% office employees had average knowledge (score 8 – 15) regarding computer vision syndrome among office employees.

Post-test that was marked improvement in the knowledge of office employees with majority (58%) of office employees gained good knowledge (score 16-23) and (42%) gained average knowledge (score 8-15) regarding computer vision syndrome among office employees.

It was inferred from the below table that the structured teaching programme was effectiveness in improving knowledge on computer vision syndrome among office employees.

Finding related to effectiveness of structured teaching programme:

Table 1: Distribution of subject on paired‘t’ test between pre-test and post-test knowledge score regarding computer vision syndrome.

PARAMETER

MEAN

MEAN %

‘t’ VALUE

Pre-test

10.29

2.11

44.74%

18.79

Post-test

16.7

2.68

72.61%

Finding related to association between pre-test knowledge score of office employees with their selected demographic variables:

The association between the pre-test level of knowledge and socio-demographic variables. Based on the third objective used to chi-square test to associate the level of knowledge and selected their demographic variables. The chi-square value of age and general education status show that there is significant (The calculated chi-square value was more than the table value at the 0.05 level of significant.) between demographic variables and pre-test knowledge score. The chi-square value of other demographic variable shows that there is no any significant (The calculated chi-square value was less than the table value at the 0.05 level of significant.) between demographic variable and pre-test knowledge score.

CONCLUSION:

The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding computer vision syndrome. The study was conducted by using pre experimental one group pre-test post-test research design. Mehsana district was selected for conducting the study. The sample size was 100 office employees by using non-probability convenient sampling method.

REFERENCE:

1) Saman Wimalasundera, Senior Lecturer in Community Medicine and Ophthalmologist, Community Ophthalmology Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org›.

2) https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-condition/computer-vision-syndrome

3) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article “Prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome and Its Relationship with Ergonomic and Individual Factors in Presbyopic VDT Workers Using Progressive Addition Lenses” Received: 8 January 2020; Accepted: 2 February 2020; Published: 5 February 2020

4) https://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/productivity.htm

5) Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care: January 2021 - Volume 10 -Issue 1 - p 228-231

6) Journal of family Medicine and Primary care 2021 Jan; 10(1): 228–231.

7) https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/computer-vision-syndrome Medically reviewed by Vicente Diaz, MD, MBA — Written by Kirsten Nunez on March 4, 2021 “7 Ways to Ease Computer Vision Syndrome”

8) April 2020 Occupational Therapy International 2020(7):1-5 DOI:10.1155/2020/2561703 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340883569_Knowledge_about_Computer_Vision_Syndrome_among_Bank_Workers_in_Gondar_City_Northwest_Ethiopia

9) Written by Deborah Emmanuel Seah Qing En, BSc (Hons), MSc. https://plano.co/eye-health/digital-eye-strain/

10) By Gary Heiting, OD American Optometric Association. "Computer Vision Syndrome." Productivity associated with visual status of computer users. Optometry. January 2004. https://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/productivity.htm

11. Medically Reviewed by Whitney Seltman, OD on August 17, 2019 https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/computer-vision-syndrome

12. Asian Journal of Nursing, Education and Research volume-6, Issue-1, 2016 www.ajner.com

Received on 01.10.2022 Modified on 19.11.2022

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2023; 11(2):107-110.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2023.00025