Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42340219›Full record

Observational studyLa Medicina del lavoro2026

Objective Assessment of Visual Workload in Video Display Terminal Workers Using a Non-Invasive Monitoring System.

Edoardo Marelli, Davide Ruongo, Giacomo Beschi, Nicolò Valsecchi, Vito Romano, Francesco Semeraro, Simone Dalola, Emma Sala, Cesare Tomasi, Vittorio Ferrari and 2 more

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in La Medicina del lavoro, 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

12 authors.

Edoardo MarelliUnit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Davide RuongoUnit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Giacomo BeschiEye Unit, ASST SpedaliCivili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Eye Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Nicolò ValsecchiEye Unit, ASST SpedaliCivili di Brescia,Brescia, Italy; Eye Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Vito RomanoEye Unit, ASST SpedaliCivili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Eye Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Francesco SemeraroEye Unit, ASST SpedaliCivili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Eye Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Simone DalolaDepartment of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Emma SalaUnit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Cesare TomasiUnit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Vittorio FerrariDepartment of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Marco FerrariDepartment of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Giuseppe De PalmaUnit of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe risk assessment for video display terminal (VDT) operators in occupational settings often relies on indirect estimates, such as self-reported screen time, which may not accurately reflect the true visual workload. The objective is to assess visual workload in VDT workers by measuring active screen fixation time with a non-invasive monitoring system and to explore its relationship with ocular surface alterations and fatigue-related indicators.

methodsAn observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 38 administrative workers employed at a hospital booking center. Active VDT screen fixation, as well as shift duration and time spent in front of the VDT screen, were objectively measured using a patented video-based monitoring system. Ophthalmological evaluation included the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI®), tear break-up time (BUT), and slit-lamp examination. Other investigated markers included blink rate, the Percentage of Eyelid Closure over the Pupil over Time (PERCLOS), and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS).

resultsActive screen fixation accounted for approximately 60% of the total recorded working time. Ophthalmological assessment identified alterations of the ocular surface in a substantial proportion of workers, with pathological BUT values observed in nearly half (47%) of the study population. No statistically significant associations were found between objectively measured fixation time and ocular or fatigue-related outcomes. PERCLOS80 and blink rate values remained within physiological ranges across the work shift.

conclusionsObjective measurement of screen fixation provides a more accurate characterization of visual workload among VDT workers than indirect exposure estimates and may support occupational health surveillance and risk assessment in VDT-exposed workers.

Indexed as

Computer TerminalsOccupational DiseasesWorkloadAdultBlinkingCross-Sectional StudiesFatigueFemaleFixation, OcularHumansMaleMiddle AgedVideo Recording

Identifiers

PMID42340219
PMCPMC13353174

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

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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.