Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42301610›Full record

ArticleOphthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)2026

Frequency, Severity and Ergonomic Awareness of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Australian Optometrists: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Enoch A Appathurai, Kwang M Cham, Peter V S Lee, Bang V Bui, Nilushi Kodikarage, Dylan Loh, Duy Ho, James Burt, Joshua Goundar, Selwyn M Prea

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Enoch A AppathuraiDepartment of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Kwang M ChamDepartment of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6051-8520
Peter V S LeeDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3666-4872
Bang V BuiDepartment of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7298-1352
Nilushi KodikarageDepartment of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Dylan LohDepartment of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Duy HoDepartment of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
James BurtDepartment of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Joshua GoundarDepartment of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Selwyn M PreaDepartment of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. selwyn.prea@unimelb.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1056-4470

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are highly prevalent among healthcare professionals, including optometrists. This study aimed to assess the frequency, severity and contributing factors of WMSDs among Australian optometrists, as well as evaluate their awareness and implementation of ergonomic practices.

methodsA cross-sectional online survey was distributed to optometrists in Victoria and South Australia. The survey collected data on demographics, work characteristics, ergonomic awareness, frequency and severity of musculoskeletal discomfort and contributing factors. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Free-text responses were examined using inductive thematic analysis.

resultsOf 119 respondents, 84% reported neck discomfort, 71% shoulder discomfort and 73% lower back discomfort. Pain severity was highest in the neck and shoulders (mean ~6.5/10). Strong Pearson correlations were found between neck, shoulder and upper back discomfort. Repetitive tasks, static postures and awkward positioning were identified as primary contributors to discomfort. Slit lamp-based tasks were most frequently associated with exacerbating pain. Only 20% of respondents were aware of workplace health and safety policies and 97% had not received employer-led training on injury reduction. Thematic analysis revealed significant impacts on professional performance and personal wellbeing.

conclusionsWMSDs are highly prevalent among Australian optometrists, particularly affecting the upper body. There is a lack of ergonomics education and workplace support. These findings highlight the need for improved ergonomics training in optometry education, implementation of workplace health and safety protocols and investment in ergonomic equipment. Future interventions should focus on addressing the identified risk factors and promoting a culture of safety in optometric practice.

Indexed as

ErgonomicsMusculoskeletal DiseasesOccupational DiseasesOptometristsAdultAustraliaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRisk FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesWorking ConditionsErgonomicsMusculoskeletal injuryOccupational hazardsOptometristsWorkplace safety.

Identifiers

PMID42301610
PMCPMC13395821

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.