Screen Supplement Examination (G37)

The supplementary screen examination G37 follows the principles of the employers’ liability insurance association for occupational health screening at VDU workplaces. Its purpose is the early detection and prevention of health complaints as a result of occupational activity at VDUs. An initial examination is carried out before starting such an activity, followed by a follow-up examination (for persons up to 40 years of age before 60 months have elapsed and for persons over 40 years of age before 36 months have elapsed). If necessary or desired, an early follow-up examination may take place.

The procedure

Before the so-called supplementary examination, which must be performed by an authorized ophthalmologist, a general examination or a special examination is performed by a general practitioner or specialist. The different examinations are applied according to individual needs. The general examination includes:

  • Taking the medical history
  • General medical history with recording of complaints:
    • Eye complaints or eye diseases
    • Neurological disorders
    • Diseases or complaints of the musculoskeletal system
    • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    • Metabolic disorders
  • Medication history
  • Workplace history – workplace, tasks, work instruction, working time.

The special examination is performed by a doctor with the specialist title “occupational medicine” or “occupational medicine” and covers the review of the requirements of the visual system (sensory system of the eyes):

  • Visual acuity – at a distance (possibly with visual aids); at near (job-related).
  • Phoria – the phoria test allows the assessment of the position of the eye axes.
  • Stereopsis – test of spatial vision or depth perception.
  • Testing of the central visual field – e.g., with a standardized board.
  • Color sense – e.g., with Ishihara boards (pictures built by many points with the same brightness, but different hues, resulting in a number).

Visual acuity should have at least a visual acuity (dimensionless unit of visual acuity) of 0.8 both at distance and near. The visual field or color sense should be regular. If the visual acuity is insufficient, measures can be taken to improve it (e.g. visual aids). If the minimum requirements are not met, complaints and abnormalities persist, and there are consequences for the work activity, the supplementary examination is performed by the authorized ophthalmologist. This examination is based on the results of the special examination and includes the following elements:

  • General part: consisting of a medical history and a complete overview examination of the ocular system.
  • Special part: consisting of a refraction determination (assessment of the refractive power of the eye, which is deteriorated, for example, in myopic or hyperopic persons), a quantitative visual field test on the perimeter and a test of color sense using an anomaloscope.
  • Ophthalmic evaluation: further examinations that may be necessary are at the discretion of the ophthalmologist.

The supplementary examination is followed by an occupational health assessment and consultation.

Your benefit

The VDU supplementary examination serves to ensure the safety of persons who perform activities at VDU workplaces. Through the comprehensive, thorough collection of medical data, it is possible to prevent or avoid damage to health.