Heather McCown
Stephen F. Austin State University
February 18, 1999
In the twentieth century, technology is at an all time high in the world. This technology includes research, stock market shares, computers, medical advances, and a vast variety of other things. Among the advanced technology is a break through of computer use. Almost everyone at sometime in their day is using a computer for one task or another. Computers have taken the world and reshaped the possibilities of ideas and dreams in the past decade. Millions of people are using a computer daily according to
Anshel (1996). This work on the computer can ran range from five minutes a day to eight hours a day depending on they type of job a person holds. Today's job market, employees are accustomed to working with a computer. This could include data entry clerks, an internet consultant, a bank teller, a librarian, and especially secretaries. The field is open to just about anyone. Often overlooked are the students that use computers on a daily basis. Many college students depend on the use of computers classes whether it be for fun or recreational use.
Sometimes the convience of using computers comes with a high price to pay. The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) says that eyestrain is the leading problem in computer use. This even exceeds such common problems as carpal tunnel syndrome. (Atencio 1996) Eyestrain and eye fatigue lead to many other complications if it is a continuous problem. One of these problems includes myopia. There are many ways of relieving eye fatigue and helping the symptoms of myopia. These problems can be onset in younger years when children are in school. Since most schools in the country are using computers as a main source of education, eyestrain can be a linked to myopia. There are many options people or companies have to improve the conditions under which the person is working.
Eyestrain is defined as blurred or double vision, burning, irritation, headaches, gritty eye sensation, eye fatigue, neck and shoulder pain, color perception change, decreased visual efficiency, more frequent errors and reduced efficiency. (Atencio 1996, Palmer 1993, Nunoo 1997) Eyestrain is also known as asthenopia. It simply means visual strain. (Palmer 1993) Dr. Paul F. Bommarito also said that 88% of heavy computer users experience these problems. (Fletcher 1996) Palmer suggest that eye fatigue is often caused by the eye muscles becoming tired much like other muscles in our body. Once these muscles tire, the symptoms start to occur. If this is continued daily, the visual strain will become part of the visual routine while working at the computer. (1993) Problems can occur from eyestrain if it is not recognized. Most of these problem are not long-term effects but do need consideration when working to improve the conditions. Eyestrain is developed from looking at a visual display terminal (VDT) for amounts of time that your eyes are not accustomed to doing. (Pealer, Dorman 1998). This is because we are used to looking at a hard copy. A researcher mentions that many computer operators have reported seeing color changes while working. This is due to the color after effect. The color after effect relates to fatigue in areas that code different colors. It is also known as the McCollough effect. While using a computer we are continuously watching a screen that flickers. This interaction also produces the symptoms of eyestrain. (Palmer 1993)
Myopia is a common side effect of eye fatigue and strain. Myopia is also commonly known as having nearsighted vision. As the word explains, you see clearer when things are close to you. There is a notable correlation with myopia and eye elongation. (Drexler, et al 1998) Palmer also notes that it is related to accommodation. She indicates that the ciliary muscles focus the lens while the eye shifts to different spots and distances. While reading or doing nearwork our lenses are contracted therefore causing tiredness. Once nearwork is through, often at the end of a work day, the lens is able to uncontract and relax. (Palmer 1993) When working with computers and looking at VDT's it is associated with near or close work. (Anshel 1996, Drexler, et al 1998) This idea has drawn much attention to the ophthalmic profession. (Drexler, et al 1998) Often the case is that the operator of the computer is already myopic. This increases the chance of the condition worsening if the doctor doesn't know about the work environment. The operator should make the environment aware to the doctor. More times than not, the doctor will prescribe glasses to improve the myopia.
Many companies and computer software technicians are trying to combat this issue of eyestrain and fatigue. It has been studied in many different settings. They have come up with very productive ways of effectively relieving some of the symptoms that cause eyestrain. These symptoms include glare, the monitor itself, lighting, vision, position of the VDT, and even taking eye breaks. ( Nunoo 1997, Fletcher 1996, Atencio 1996) Here are some of the techniques that researches have come up with to help prevent eyestrain. Many researchers have found that if you put a mirror in front of the
computer, then it will help direct you to the source of the glare. (Nunoo 1997, Atencio 1996) To reduce glare radiating from a computer it is suggested not using fluorescent lighting. (Nunoo 1997) Computers shouldn't be placed on high finished tables either. The low-shine helps eleviate glare as well. Also, terminals shouldn't be near windows. If that isn't possible then the windows should be covered with vertical blinds. (Atencio 1996)
The position of the monitor or VDT should be also taken into account. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have determined the correct position and length from the monitor that you should sit. The monitor should be straight in front of you so that the screen is eye level. To adjust your monitor to meet this requirement you might want to stack books or magazines under the monitor itself. The eye to screen distance should be somewhere in the vicinity of 16-30 inches. The person using the computer station should always keep the monitor wiped off with a type of static guard spray for monitors and a lint free towel. This will help the visual field. Correcting the lighting in an area that will have much computer use will prevent some of the eyestrain. To do this there is a need for indirect lighting and putting the computers away from the lights. Making this possible, the computers would have to be put where the lighting is not right on top of the terminals. In most cases, this is impossible for a working environment. Researchers suggest putting the computers between the rows of lights to prevent direct lighting. (1996)
There are many ways to help reduce the eye fatigue you might experience throughout the day. Atencio suggests taking mini-vacations from the computer while at work. She refers this to be taken every two hours. (1996) In many job situations that is not possible. Many times you cannot leave your work station for more than a lunch break. One researcher suggests different ways to battle eye fatigue if that is the predicament.
One way is to scan long distances for a few seconds every so often. You can apply pressure with your fingers to check ridge just below the eye, press at the outside corner of the eye, and press on the ridge of nose where the eye connects. Another suggestion is to do eye exercises. This involves closing you eye and moving them in a right to left direction and an up to down direction. Doing this different times of the day will also help. Regular check ups with the opthamologist will also aid in the prevention of eye strain. (Atencio 1996)
Students use of computers are a daily activity in many schools. This is to keep up with the fast moving world of technology, research, and science. Researchers have come to an agreement that this could actually be harmful, if not properly managed, for the children of our future generation. The question of today is if it puts our children's vision at risk for the problems we see in adults. (Palmer 1993) Students with low vision have even a harder time with the use of computers due to the effects of eye strain. (Kobayashi, Tanaka, & Okuzumi 1996) If our advances keep reaching new heights then researchers will have to be aware of these problems facing the youth and try even harder to correct the problems.
Eyestrain and asthenopia are growing obstacles facing the computer generation of today and tomorrow. The good news for computer users is that there are not long-term effects to contend with. The most permanent effect is the result of myopia due to the close work that is done. Myopia is very common for people, not only computer users. It is enhanced by the use of computers. The correction of lighting, glare, monitor distance, eye exercises, and vision checkups with all help the symptoms that accompany eyestrain and fatigue. (Atencio 1996) To help fight this problem with the future of tomorrow parents and teachers need to keep a check on the children and the amount of work they are doing on computers. Today's world is bombarded with circumstances that need the help of a computer. It is virtually inevitable to get around with out some kind of computer contact.
With this in mind, maybe the eye problems the public faces will be less traumatic with the knowledge to help.
References
Anshel, Jeffery. (1996) Visual ergonomics in the workplace. Managing Office Technology, v.41 (10), 32-34.
Atencio, Rosemarie. (1996) Eyestrain: the number one complaint of computer users.Computers In Libraries, v.16 (8), 40-44.
Drexler, W., Findl, O., Schmetterer, L., Hitzenberger, C.K., & Fercher, A.F. (1998) Eye Elongation during Accommodation in Humans: Differences between Emmetropes
And Myopes. Investigative Opthalmology and Visual Science, v.39 (11), 2140-2147.
Fletcher, Meg. (1996) Monitoring Worksite Changes to Limit Eye Strain Problems. Business Journal, v.30 (17), 141-143.
Kobayashi, I., Tanaka, A., & Okuzumi, H. (1996) Computer use in schools for the blind in Japan. Psychological Reports, v.78, 419-426.
Nunoo, Mildred. (1996) A sight for sore eyes: computer displays can be hazardous to your Vision. Black Enterprise, v.28 (3), 44-45.
Palmer, Shirley. (1993) Does computer use put children's vision at risk? Journal of Research and Development in Education, v.26 (2), 59-65.
Pealer, Lisa & Dorman, Steve. (1998) Video display terminals: Safe use guidelines. Journal of School Health, v.68 (7), 307-310.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Healthy and Safety Office. Ergonomics: Posturing for Safety. 1996. Online at http://www.ais.unc.edu/hs/hpage04.html.