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Computer vision syndrome
The computer monitor is the source of today’s top vision complaint in
the workplace.
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Nearly 150 million people in the United States work on a
computer every
day, and it is estimated that close to 90 percent of them experience
computer eyestrain. While mass computer expansion at home and in the
office has provided a big boost to global communications, computers
have and will continue to take a toll on our eyesight. In fact,
occupational health experts agree that the source of today’s top vision
complaint in the workplace is the computer monitor.
“Eyestrain is a common problem for adults who spend four hours or more
each day concentrating on a computer screen,” says optometrist Kent
Daum from the University of Alabama School of Optometry in Birmingham.
“Even short, 25-minute periods can cause some eye discomfort.”
In addition to eyestrain, many computer users complain of tired,
burning, itching, dry and/or watery eyes; headaches, double vision and
afterimages; photophobia (sensitivity to light); pain in the eyes; or
excessive blinking or squinting due to computer terminal work.
Eyestrain Rx
The following suggestions may help:
- Greater hertz or frequency of the monitor’s screen will
reduce the flicker in the screen. In addition, the higher the pixel
count of the monitor’s screen, the better the resolution, resulting in
enhanced reliability. Resolutions of at least 110 pixels per inch are
recommended.
- Glare from lights reflecting off the screen
will lower the contrast, thus forcing the eyes to work harder. A
glare-reduction filter can reduce this potential problem significantly.
One bearing an American Optometric Association seal of approval is
recommended.
- Adjustable work stations allowing for
appropriate placement of the computer screen at angles 10 degrees to 20
degrees (slightly below eye level) are most comfortable. Also, a
monitor on a base that swivels will reduce unnecessary head and eye
movements.
- Ergonomically designed chairs and keyboards,
and proper ambient illumination, can provide additional relief. The
keyboard, screen and copy should all be as close to equal distances
from the eyes as possible. Workstation lighting should be shaded to
avoid reflections on the monitor. Typical office lighting was designed
for working on paper on a flat desk surface, and is actually twice as
bright as the optimal lighting conditions for computer work.
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