Application Of Analytic Hierarchy Process As Support System In Computer Vision Syndrome Diagnostic Test Selection

Background and aims: The modern lifestyle’s heavy reliance on digital devices has contributed to the widespread occurrence of computer vision syndrome (CVS). Abundant CVS diagnostic tests lead to uncertainty for clinicians in selecting the tests. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a quantitative decision-making technique within a hierarchical framework. This study aimed to determine the relative importance of CVS diagnostic tests using AHP. Materials and methods: AHP approach was used, where the pairwise comparison of the multiple criteria and alternatives were performed to identify the most important CVS diagnostic test. Four criteria namely: accuracy, reliability, cost, and time needed, and seven alternatives (self-reported symptoms, questionnaire, visual acuity, refraction, anterior eye examination, accommodation, and vergence) were used to demonstrate the process. The step began with structuring the decision problem in a hierarchical framework where the goal was located at the highest level, criteria in the intermediate level, leaving the decision alternatives at the lowest level. The step was followed by pairwise comparison using Saaty’s nine-point scale to evaluate the relative importance of criteria in selecting CVS diagnostic test. Six optometry experts were recruited to derive the relative importance of criteria and the relative preference of alternatives via questionnaire. The geometric average of experts’ response was obtained. The weight between all criteria and diagnostic tests were calculated. Results: Accuracy was the most important criterion (ω=0.337) to be considered in selecting CVS diagnostic tests, followed by reliability (ω=0.416), time needed (ω=0.132), and cost (ω=0.115). Accommodation test was ranked the highest among all CVS diagnostic tests (ω=0.216), whereas the self-reported symptoms was the lowest (ω=0.102). Conclusion: The AHP method is effective in managing the uncertainties that clinicians face during the process of selecting diagnostic tests for CVS. This approach diminishes the expenses, resource allocation, and time commitments associated with attaining a diagnosis for CVS.
Keywords: Analytic hierarchy process; Clinical decision-making; Computer vision syndrome