Ergoptometry - Optimum vision at the modern VDU workstation

In May 2012, the project "Ergoptometry: Optimal vision at modern VDU workstations" was launched at the Interdisciplinary Competence Centre for Ophthalmic Optics, Optometry and Ophthalmological Optics (IAO) at the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences in Jena.

At the beginning of the project, the focus was on analysing the legal framework conditions in occupational health and safety, in particular the VDU Work Ordinance and its extensive revision in BGI 650, as well as workplace design and the stress caused by VDU work.

In addition to the literature research, an Internet platform was set up in the first few months, which is intended to appeal equally to opticians and optometrists as well as VDU workers. The website www.bildschirmarbeit.info, or www.ergoptometrie.de, not only serves as a central source of information for both target groups, but also provides a platform for current publications and the project's research development. The website is constantly being developed and kept up to date. A link to social networks is planned for the coming weeks in order to draw the attention of a wide audience to the project.

As part of the public relations work, Prof. Dr Stephan Degle and Oliver Kolbe presented the project as well as information and results on the topic of VDU workstations at various conferences (VDCO '13, opti forum, Tag der Optometrie 2013, 15th Augenoptisches Kolloquium Jena). In addition, the two publications "VDU work 2.0" and "VDU work and myopia" were published in the specialised and general press.

As an important pillar for research activities, the project members looked for co-operation partners from industry and business in various sectors. A total of fourteen selected companies were recruited who are interested in further co-operation and have pledged their support in the form of letters of intent. These include the publisher of BGI 650 - the Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft, the Technical University of Ilmenau, the University of Bielefeld, the Zentralverband der Augenoptik and Eizo, a well-known manufacturer of office monitors.

One of Germany's first free-view refractometers, the Shin-Nippon nVision-K 5001, was acquired for testing purposes in preparation for an extensive study to record relevant and, above all, real ergonomic and optometric measurement data at the VDU workstation. The advantage of this device lies in the monocular measurement procedure, which can be carried out under binocular and largely natural visual conditions at the monitor. In order to test the suitability of the device, a preliminary study was carried out with ten test subjects. The aim of this trial was to compare the measured values of the free-view refractometer with other objective and subjective measurement methods. It is also planned to carry out a series of measurements using contact lenses in order to correct any spherical and astigmatic refractive errors of the test subjects.

In order to obtain subjective assessments in addition to objective measurement values, the development of hypotheses and questions relating to working at a computer screen and its correction has been intensified in recent months. In January 2013, two separate surveys were conducted nationwide in parallel. One of the two surveys was used to record and analyse ergoptometric conditions at VDU workstations, visual complaints, the state of correction and the need for information on the subject of VDU glasses for VDU workers. The second survey was aimed at opticians and optometrists in order to analyse a cross-section of the current care of VDU workers. The aim of both surveys is to derive practical recommendations for action for opticians and VDU workers from their cross-linking and to publish them in the specialised and general press.

The project team is currently focussing on conducting a comprehensive study on the subject of head movements at VDU workstations. This involves screen workers of the 50+ generation wearing universal varifocals and special screen glasses performing defined work tasks on various displays and a tablet PC. With the aid of a head-tracking system, the three translational and rotational head movements of the test subjects are recorded and analysed 21 times per second. The participating test subjects are provided with individualised varifocal glasses and screen glasses.