AIM: To study the correlation between visual display terminal(VDT)exposure time and ocular symptoms.

METHODS: By use of questionnaire, a survey was carried out in 1218 undergraduate students from 3 universities in Zhuhai to find out their VDT exposure time and their eye symptoms. VDT exposure time at different grades and ocular symptom scores in different exposure intensity crowd were compared, the relationship between VDT exposure time and ocular symptoms were investigated.

RESULTS: On average, VDT exposure time in all students of the three universities was 3.72±2.17h, the mean exposure time increased with grade. And the ocular symptoms scores increased with exposure time, VDT has a positive correlation with VDT exposure time.

CONCLUSION: Long-time exposure to VDT is harmful to visual health, eye health education should be strengthened to avoid or reduce the health damages caused by VDT exposure.