Evaluation of Ophthalmologist's Sitting Position

To evaluate ophthalmologists’ sitting position during ocular examination and surgery and to evaluate any correlation between musculoskeletal disorders and mean work time.

This cross-sectional study was performed on ophthalmologists in Isfahan, Iran in different occupational positions including the office, during slitlamp examination and in the operating room. The evaluation included neck angle, lumbar lordosis, pelvic angle and the position of lower leg and foot. Ophthalmologists were asked about spinal and shoulder pains and mean work time in the office and operating room.

Among 73 studied ophthalmologists (including 60 male and 13 female subjects), there were malpositions in neck angle in 43 (58.9%), lumbar lordosis in 36 (49.3%), hip angle in 9 (12.3%), lower leg in 49 (67.1%) and foot in 31 (42.4%) cases. Among 62 ophthalmologists who performed surgery there were malpositions in neck angle in 38 (61.3%), lumbar lordosis in 38 (61.3%), hip angle in 2 (37.1%), knee angle in 43 (69.4%) and foot in 44 (71.0%) cases. There was a significant correlation between spinal pains and mean work time in the office (P=0.02) and operating room (P=0.01).

According to the correlation between spinal pains and work time, it is necessary to educate ophthalmologists for correct sitting position during work.