Introduction The “Computer Vision Syndrome” (CVS) is one of the health effect related to the activities while on computer work. This problem is commonly overlooked and neglected therefore this study was aimed to explore ergonomic risk factors that may contribute to CVS.

Methods Using a cross-sectional study, university staff (academician and support staff) that used computer at least 2 h per day at work was interviewed using guided questionnaire to get information on sociodemographic, eye symptoms and possible contributing factors. Respondent's workstations were assessed for ergonomic factors. Respondents were considered as having CVS if they reported at least one of the vision symptoms as in the questionnaire. Analysis was using SPSS version 15.0.

Results From 436 respondents, 68.1% of them reported Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). χ² Test showed that CVS was significant with gender, education, duration of computer usage, position of monitor to user, computer screen glare and computer monitor level. Exploring the OR, significantly higher odds for CVS were found among respondents who used computer more than five hours per day (OR: 1.8, CI 1.2 to 2.3), not facing their computer screen while computing (OR: 2.9, CI 1.9 to 4.4), computer screen glaring (OR: 2.7, CI 1.4 to 5.1) and high monitor level (OR: 1.5, CI 1.0 to 2.4).

Conclusions Prevalence of computer vision syndrome was high (two in every three). Using computer more than 5 h per day, not facing computer screen while computing, screen glaring and high monitor level may predispose someone to get CVS.