Just two hours of work at a computer monitor a day can put people at risk for Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS, which covers a range of issues such as eye fatigue, sore or dry eyes, and headaches. More than 50 million American workers, nearly 70 percent of the 75 million who work on computers every day, suffer from computer-related eye and vision problems, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA).
Left unchecked, CVS can affect the health and productivity of many of these workers, and there is concern that prolonged exposure to these conditions may increase the amount of time it takes eyes to recover.
The chief culprit in CVS is “glare”—the light reflected off the computer screen, as well as the office lighting hitting the eyes, and light reflecting from other sources in the workstation or the immediate area. Another significant factor is the positioning of the computer screen in relation to the work documents and the worker. These factors can cause the worker’s eyes to work harder and become irritated.
Some simple preventive steps include blinking frequently, adjusting monitor distance to least 18 inches from eyes and at a straight vertical angle, cleaning the computer screen, and using blinds, drapes, and lower-watt overhead light bulbs to reduce room lighting levels.
Products made by companies such as 3M to reduce glare and eyestrain include: anti-glare, polarized computer monitor filters; polarizing task lights and polarizing light filter; polarizing lenses that block light waves that produce glare; and adjustable monitor stands to position the computer monitor and work-related papers.
In particular, light filters were shown to reduce eyestrain symptoms by 50 percent in a 1996 Cornell University study being updated currently. Eighty percent of users reported that the anti-glare filters made it easier to read their screens, and over 50 percent said the filters helped their productivity.
Based on a report from 3M
