Computer vision and productivity

A study conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry reveals that even a slightly inaccurate vision prescription at the computer can significantly affect worker productivity.

Published in the January 2004 issue of the Aao Journal, a publication of the American Optometric Association, the study gives employers hard evidence of the financial benefits of providing computer vision care for employees who use computers.

Nearly 9 out of every 10 workers - including computer programmers, graphic artists, editors, architects, insurance underwriters, air controllers, executives and secretaries - experience some symptoms of computer eye strain: eye fatigue, headaches, blurry vision, neck and back aches. This is why computer eye strain has been called the number one occupational hazard of the 21st century. The way our eyes view the computer image is very different than how they read the printed word in a book or newspaper. The images or pixels on a computer screen have poor edge definition. This can cause a repetitive focusing effort for the eye muscles, which over time generate symptoms due to overuse.

This study, funded by Prio Corporation, is the first clinical study that could convince employers to pay for quality computer vision care for their employees. This is the key to unlocking the market for over 70 million computer users - people who know they have problems seeing their computer, but have not wanted to pay for a second or third pair of eyeglasses.

(Source: Vision Council of America)