VISION SCREENING, EYE EXAMINATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF DISPLAY SCREEN USERS IN A LARGE REGIONAL TEACHING HOSPITAL

In January 1993 the Royal Group of Hospitals Trust, which employs appr oximately 5000 staff, implemented the Health and Safety (Display Scree n Equipment) Northern Ireland Regulations (1992). During 1994 all regu lar display screen equipment users were offered a vision screening tes t. In total 571 employees were screened using computerized vision scre ening software (City Visual Systems Ltd). Risk assessments were comple ted for 293 display screen work-stations. One hundred and twelve full eye examinations, carried out by optometrists, were performed on those who failed vision screening and on those who specifically requested a n optometric assessment. Results indicate that whereas the proportion of users experiencing visual and general symptoms differed markedly fr om department to department (28-82%), the median number of individuals failing the screening test was 25% (range 9-40%). Those involved in u ninterrupted display screen equipment work for prolonged periods repor ted visual and general work-related symptoms twice as frequently as th ose who spent less time working with DSE. The outcome of full eye exam inations confirmed that less than 5% of display screen users required spectacles solely for display screen use. Work-station analysis indica ted that ergonomic problems were common. The authors conclude that the successful management of health risks from display screen equipment r equires simultaneous attention to work-place design, working patterns and eye care. (C) 1997 The College of Optometrists.