Association between Information and Communication Technology use and Ocular Axial Length Elongation among Middle-Aged Male Workers

The use of Information and Communication Technology devices (ICT) has spread globally; therefore, increasing exposure to these display devices is an important health issue in the workplace. The association between ocular axial length (AL) elongation and ICT use was investigated among 7334 middle-aged Japanese male workers. Detailed ICT use information was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. The high AL group was defined as the group with AL above the 75th percentile for each 5-year age interval. Logistic analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) for the high AL group of >8 hours/day, adjusted for potent confounding factors, was significantly elevated relative to <1 hour/day. Notably, there was a strong association in the older groups (OR = 6.60, 95% CI = 3.92-11.12), based on work-related uses: word processing, sending e-mails, preparation of presentation materials, and browsing websites. In addition, among workers with extended ICT use for these workrelated purposes, a significant lateral difference was observed in AL. However, these associations were not observed for private use, such as playing games. The results of our prospective cross-sectional study show that increased time spent on work-related ICT uses was associated with AL elongation, particularly in older workers.