Affiliations: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of
Occupational and Public Health Science,Faculty of Health and Working
Life,University of Gävle, Sweden | The Low Vision Centre, Örebro County Council,
Örebro, Sweden | Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Örebro
University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Hans O. Richter, Associate
Professor, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gävle, S-801
76 Gävle, Sweden. Tel.: +46 (0)26 64 85 00; Fax: +46 (0)26 64 86 40;
E-mail: hrr@hig.se
Abstract: Objectives: To study the joint occurrence of eye-and-neck/scapular
area symptoms and their association with occupational risk factors in a
cross-sectional sample of professional information technology users. Study population: The participants consisted of 3,971 employees who worked with
computers for a minimum of one hour a day. 2,551 (73%) were men and 945
(27%) women, with an age range of 18 up to 64 years. The mean age was 38.1
(SD=10.7) for men and 37.6 (SD=12.0) for the women. The measures were
obtained via a self-administered survey in combination with a visual
examination conducted by an optometrist. Methods: Two complementary
logistic regression analyses with forced entry was conducted on n=3,496
(88% adjusted response rate) cases. The effect of ocular symptoms on
the risk of {reporting} musculoskeletal symptoms, or vice versa, was
examined first in two separate binominal logistic regression analyses.
Age, Gender, Near work variable and Visual functioning variables were
included in these analyzes. Variables associated with the risk of developing an
{increase} in either symptom category were also examined in two additional
binomial logistic regression analyses. Results: Exposure to spectacles
(single vision, multifocal, or progressive correction) in combination with a
visual acuity < 1 surfaced as a key mediator of symptoms from the
neck/scapular area (p< 0.01). A vergence disparity (uncompensated vergence
error) similarly was associated with an augmented risk of developing an
increase in neck/scapular area symptoms (p< 0.05). The most influential
risk factor for neck/scapular area symptoms were ocular symptoms and vice
versa (p< 0.0001). Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis
which postulates that eye-neck/scapular area symptoms interaction may be due to
a functional coupling from and between the eye-neck/scapular area
muscles [28].
