title: Symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in ophthalmologists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the presence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the neck, low back, and upper extremity among ophthalmologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mail survey using a pretested instrument to 2,529 ophthalmologists in the Northeastern United States; 697 ophthalmologists (28%) returned a completed survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-reported prevalence of neck, upper body, or lower back symptoms in the prior month was 51.8%. Low back pain was present in 39% of respondents, followed by upper extremity symptoms (32.9%) and neck pain (32.6%). Approximately 15% of ophthalmologists were slightly to moderately limited in their work as a result of these symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MSD symptoms appear to be common among ophthalmologists. With a relatively low response rate, however, it is plausible that asymptomatic subjects represent a large percentage of the nonrespondents. Additional investigation is warranted to evaluate ergonomic risk factor exposure and establish injury prevention guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Lahey Clinic, Peabody, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Dhimitri
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McGwin
authors.forename: Sandre F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: McNeal
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Patti Ann
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Fleming D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Wertz
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Marx
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009511:New England / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012650:Self Disclosure