Encourage Eye Health in the Workplace

Do your employees know about computer vision syndrome (CVS)?

If you notice workers straining to see the computer screen—or rubbing their eyes with irritation—it could be happening to them.

CVS encompasses a slew of eyestrain and pain problems from staring at the computer for too long.

Why does this happen? The muscles in the eye are constantly challenged more when working on a computer verses a book or paper because the screen also adds elements of contrast, flicker, and glare.

Unfortunately, computer eye problems are more common than you may think. Between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen have at least some symptoms of CVS including:

Blurred vision

Double vision

Dry, red eyes

Eye irritation

Headaches

Neck or back pain

Although experts say CVS will not cause long-term damage to the eye, the irritation can hinder productivity.

Encourage employees to get their eyes checked by a doctor if they are experiencing problems on a regular basis. They may need glasses or a new prescription.

Help employees reduce their risk of CVS with the following tips:

Cut down the glare. To reduce glare on your computer screen, change the lighting. Try a desk lamp with a moveable shade that distributes light evenly over your desk. Or, try a glare filter over your monitor.

Organize your desk. Keep the computer screen about 20 to 28 inches away from your face to avoid stretching your neck or straining your eyes.

Give your eyes a break. Look away from the screen every 20 minutes or so to rest your eyes, and blink often to keep your eyes moist. Tip: If your eyes are getting overly dry, try using eye drops.

Change your computer settings. Adjust the brightness, contrast, and font size until you find the best setting for your vision.