A reliable and valid questionnaire was developed to measure computer vision syndrome at the workplace.
OBJECTIVE
To design and validate a questionnaire to measure visual symptoms related to exposure to computers in the workplace.


METHODS
Our computer vision syndrome questionnaire (CVS-Q) was based on a literature review and validated through discussion with experts and performance of a pretest, pilot test, and retest. Content validity was evaluated by occupational health, optometry, and ophthalmology experts. Rasch analysis was used in the psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire. Criterion validity was determined by calculating the sensitivity and specificity, receiver operator characteristic curve, and cutoff point. Test-retest repeatability was tested using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and concordance by Cohen's kappa (κ).


RESULTS
The CVS-Q was developed with wide consensus among experts and was well accepted by the target group. It assesses the frequency and intensity of 16 symptoms using a single rating scale (symptom severity) that fits the Rasch rating scale model well. The questionnaire has sensitivity and specificity over 70% and achieved good test-retest repeatability both for the scores obtained [ICC = 0.802; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.673, 0.884] and CVS classification (κ = 0.612; 95% CI: 0.384, 0.839).


CONCLUSIONS
The CVS-Q has acceptable psychometric properties, making it a valid and reliable tool to control the visual health of computer workers, and can potentially be used in clinical trials and outcome research.
Optic Pharmacology and Anatomy Department, Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n. 03690, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain. Electronic address: mm.segui@ua.es.
María del Mar
Mdel M
Seguí
Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n. 03690, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain.
Julio
J
Cabrero-García
Optic Pharmacology and Anatomy Department, Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n. 03690, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain.
Ana
A
Crespo
Balmis Research Group on Community Health and History of Science, Community Nursing Preventive Medicine Public Health and History of Science Department, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n. 03690, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain.
José
J
Verdú
Community Nursing Preventive Medicine Public Health and History of Science Department, Public Health Research Group, Occupational Health Research Centre (CISAL), CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n. 03690, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain.
Elena
E
Ronda
D001248:Asthenopia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016288:Computer Terminals; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000592:standards*; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D013577:Syndrome
Asthenopia; Computer terminals; Diagnosis; Eye diseases; Occupational exposure; Occupational health