VDT – SYNDROME ACQUIRED WHEN WORKING WITH PICTURE DISPLAY TERMINALS
- What is VDT syndrome?
VDT syndrome is a syndrome of a series of physical and mental disorders that appear when you spend a lot of time looking at the screen and typing on the keyboard. This is a common condition among young people who spend a lot of time looking at computers, smartphones, mobile devices,…
- Cause of VDT syndrome
Factors that cause VDT syndrome include:
(1) Workplace factors: workplace design, chair, screen, keyboard, desk
(2) Employee factors: age, physical condition, work habits, medical history.
(3) Working environment factors: vibration, light, noise, temperature, humidity, ventilation
(4) Working factors: working posture, working intensity, working time, rest time
- Symptoms of VDT syndrome
If you regularly use a computer or terminal and experience one of the following 3 symptoms, you may have VDT syndrome.
(1) Eyes are tired and often red.
(2) Eyes are sensitive or irritated to light
(3) Eyes feel like there are grains of sand inside.
- Treatment of VDT syndrome
The most effective treatment for VDT syndrome is light exercise/movement. For computer users, exercise should mainly involve the wrists, neck and shoulders. Even sitting on this exercise chair is beneficial.
The exercise method is to hold the correct position for 8 ~ 12 seconds and repeat 3 ~ 5 times. While stretching, breathe in and out naturally. Do these light exercises several times a day, whenever you have time.
(1) Place your palms together and lower them
(2) Raise your chin and place both thumbs on your chin and tilt your head back as far as possible.
(3) Press the back of the hand: Stretch one hand out and press the back of the hand with the fingers facing down.
(4) Eye pressure: Rub your hands together as quickly as possible to create heat, then place them on both eyes and slowly press your fingers down around the pupils in a circular motion.
- Note about VDT syndrome
You must find the right posture to prevent musculoskeletal disorders such as stiffness, numbness and pain in the back of the neck, shoulder blades, arms, hands and fingers due to VDT syndrome. In addition, when working, you should work with your hands on the desk to ensure the height of the keyboard and elbows are equal and to reduce pressure on the wrists.
Additionally, the distance from the screen to your eyes should be at least 50 cm, enough to reach the screen with your fingertips. When working at a computer, it is very important to take regular breaks. Normally, you should take a 10-minute break after every 50 minutes of work.
