SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- As more people use computers in the
workplace, complaints of eye fatigue, difficulty focusing and discomfort have
become commonplace.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000323/SFTHFNS1 )
Problem is, we've moved to the computer age, but our offices haven't.
Lighting, furniture and desk configurations that work fine for typewriters,
add to fatigue and discomfort when working with computers.
To mark March's designation as Workplace Eye Safety Month, the American
Academy of Ophthalmology (the Eye M.D.s Association) wants to alert Americans
to the less obvious issues in workplace eye safety, such as computer eyestrain
and dry eye, as well as remind us of the importance of wearing proper eye
protection in the industrial workplace.
Computer video display terminals don't damage vision, but you might still
experience eyestrain. Fortunately, rearranging your computer workstation,
taking more frequent rest breaks, or getting proper glasses can often relieve
these symptoms, says Academy spokesperson Ruth Williams, MD.
To pinpoint the cause of your discomfort, first get an eye exam by your
Eye M.D. (ophthalmologist), who can rule out the possibility of eye disease as
the cause of your symptoms. You may find you need glasses when working at a
computer, or that your prescription needs updating.
Next, take a look at your workstation:
-- Screen distance: You should sit about 20 inches from the computer
monitor, a little farther away than reading distance, with the top of
the screen at or below eye level.
-- Equipment: Choose a monitor that tilts or swivels, and has both
contrast and brightness controls.
-- Furniture: An adjustable chair is best.
-- Reference material: Should be placed on a document holder, so you
don't have to keep looking back and forth, frequently refocusing your
eyes and turning your neck and head.
-- Lighting: Should be modified to eliminate reflections or glare. A hood
or micromesh filter for your screen might help limit reflections and
glare.
-- Rest Breaks: Take periodic rest breaks, and try to blink often to keep
your eyes from drying out.
In addition, forced-air heating systems of big office buildings can also
increase problems with dry eyes during the winter, says Dr. Williams. Dry eye
occurs when the eye doesn't produce enough tears to keep the eye comfortable.
Usual symptoms include stinging or burning eyes, scratchiness, a feeling that
there's something in the eye, excessive tearing or difficulty wearing contact
lenses. Over-the-counter eye drops called artificial tears usually do the
trick, but if dry eye persists, see your Eye M.D. for an evaluation.
While computer eyestrain and dry eye may be uncomfortable, such industries
as construction and automotive repair can be downright hazardous to your
vision. Despite existing safety legislation and educational programs, each
working day in the U.S., more than 2,000 employees sustain job-related eye
injuries, making workplace injury a leading cause of ocular trauma, visual
loss and blindness. Many of these injured workers didn't think they needed to
wear eye protection, or wore eyewear inappropriate for the job.
"The most common workplace injury I see in my practice occurs when people
fail to wear eye protection when they're welding or working under a car," said
Dr. Williams. "I take a piece of metal out of someone's eye at least once or
twice a month."
Dr. Williams and the Academy agree that wearing proper eye protection is a
matter of vital importance to worker health and safety.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association
of eye physicians and surgeons -- Eye M.D.s -- with more than 27,000 members.
For more information about eye health care, visit the Academy's partner Web
site at http://www.medem.com.
SOURCE American Academy of Ophthalmology
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Related links:
http://www.eyenet.org
Photo Notes:
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CONTACT:
Michelle Stephens or Arthur Stone, both of
American Academy of Ophthalmology, 415-447-0221, or media@aao.org
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