An evaluation of vision screening and eye examinations performed on display screen equipment users

Abstract

The introduction of regulations governing ‘work with display screen equipment’ has placed a number of important obligations on employers. One of the most widely debated issues concerns an employee's entitlement to ‘an appropriate eye and eyesight test’. Opinions are divided on the relative merits of the new generation of vision screening tests and their relevance within the context of the regulations. In this study the results of 112 full optometric eye examinations performed on ‘regular’ display screen users, 98% of whom had previously failed the City University Computerised Vision Screening Program, are analysed. Comparisons are made between the results of eye examinations and the results of individual vision screening tests which contributed to overall test failure.Results confirm that those identified by the City University's illiterate E visual acuity screening test as having substandard acuities often required an update to their current spectacle correction. Sixty‐eight percent of those failing vision screening were spectacle wearers and of these 40% were identified as requiring an updated prescription to optimise visual potential. Results also confirm that those failing vision screening on the basis of substandard binocular vision had either a long‐standing history of oculomotor problems or an imbalance of the oculomotor system which may contribute to the presence of visual symptoms. The proportion of those complaining of ocular or visual symptoms, when assessed using the on‐screen questionnaire (69%), was similar to that revealed during the recording of history and symptoms by an optometrist (65%). Interestingly, only 3% of those examined by optometrists were identified as requiring spectacles solely for display screen use. Three percent of those tested were identified as requiring medical referral, using conventional general ophthalmic services referral criteria.The authors conclude that the City University screening system, when utilised in a coordinated manner within the context of a display screen equipment work‐station risk assessment programme, fulfils both staff and managerial expectations. The utilisation of (on‐site) vision screening identifies those most in need of a full examination and thus allows employers to concentrate financial resources on those most likely to obtain benefit from the provision of professional services.