Eye screening

For many employees, the computer is a permanent part of the workplace. In total, more than 40% of all office workers spend more than seven hours a day working at a screen. This continuous strain leads to more eye problems. Constant head and eye movements between screen, keyboard and source documents seem particularly stressful. So does the constant adjustment of the pupils to changing distances and changing brightness. Complaints caused by this excessive strain are known in the working world as office eye syndrome, or computer vision syndrome (CVS). Around 45% of all screen workers suffer from eye complaints. To avoid impaired vision and unnecessary discomfort, it makes sense to offer employees an examination of their eyes and eyesight.

To prevent these strains and detect developing conditions, we offer a service in three modules: eye test, optical coherence tomography and eye training.

Eye test

The expert medical examination at the workplace has three parts.

Medical history

The examining doctor takes the medical history. This includes asking about health problems such as:

• Eye complaints and eye diseases
• Complaints and diseases of the musculoskeletal system
• Neurological disorders
• Metabolic diseases
• Long-term medication

Work history

A work history is also taken

• What does the workplace look like?
• Is the monitor correctly positioned?
• Is the lighting ideal?

The work history can be used, for example, to determine the best vision aid. A job with public contact also calls for good distance vision, so bifocal glasses are recommended.

Eye test

The doctor checks eyesight with a screening test. This covers

• Visual acuity
• Spatial vision
• Alignment of the eyes
• Colour vision
• Central visual field

Optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is the only examination that can detect all the common causes of blindness early. The examination takes only a few minutes, during which images of the eye and the back of the eye are taken. The eye is also scanned and measured to an accuracy of 5 micrometres using a harmless laser beam. In all, OCT can detect more than 400 diseases. We concentrate on the three most common causes of blindness: age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The examination also allows an objective, quantitative assessment of the condition of the blood vessels at the back of the eye, without any invasive procedure. Other eye diseases, such as injury to the retina, branch vein occlusions or melanomas (skin cancer), are of course detected as well.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

In macular degeneration, deposits in the macula, the area of sharpest vision, cause considerable damage. The ability to read can be lost. There are two forms: the common dry form and the rarer but rapidly progressing wet form. OCT allows precise documentation of the extent and location.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is also called the 'invisible' thief, because the person affected notices the permanent damage only very late. Glaucoma slowly and stealthily destroys the optic nerve. OCT allows very precise diagnosis and monitoring. Unlike measurement of intraocular pressure, it can also diagnose normal-tension glaucoma. Sensitivity, that is, the detection rate, rises from 47% to almost 90%.

Diabetic retinopathy

For some years now, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has also been used here, allowing cross-sectional imaging of the macula. This method is particularly well suited to detecting diabetic macular oedema and assessing its course. All forms of retinopathy usually remain symptom-free for the patient for a very long time.

Vascular analysis

Vascular analysis allows an objective, quantitative assessment of the condition of the blood vessels at the back of the eye, without any invasive procedure. Based on a fundus image, the shape and thickness of the arteries and veins are assessed. This data gives the doctor an indication of possible cardiovascular disease. As well as diagnosing the eye, the examination therefore also provides information about the condition of the blood vessels. OCT offers very high resolution. This makes it clearly superior to older methods.

Eye training

Even small exercises and rules help to reduce common eye problems such as burning, itching or watering. We work out small exercise programmes with employees that take no more than 1-2 minutes an hour. Through a training portal, employees can view their programmes at any time and watch videos of the individual exercises. Six months on, we ask employees whether their eye problems have eased.

Our services

We come directly to your company with a doctor and a medical professional. In one day, we take 32 employees through all three modules: eye test, optical coherence tomography and individual eye training.