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Computers and Your Eyes

If you sit at a computer all day and stare at a VDT (video display terminal), you may find yourself attributing some or all of your vision problems to this “exposure”. Knowing that the video tube emits a form of electro-magnetic radiation, you might be concerned about possible harm to your eyes from the radiation.

The Facts

Studies by the US Government (Food and Drug Administration Center for Radiologic Health and Devices) have shown that little or no X-rays or ultra-violet rays are emitted By VDTs. The tiny amount of emission detected is well within current safety standards. It is no greater than that produced by common fluorescent lighting, and is almost entirely absorbed by the outer layer of the eye, which means that the light cannot damage the inner eye. This fact is, none of these rays even get close to the lens or the retina.

Scientist have looked carefully into these issues and have concluded that emission from VDTs has never been associated with or connected to any permanent ocular or visual damage.

How to Avoid Problems

Working long hours at the computer terminal may produce eye symptoms, such as irritation, difficulty focusing and blurriness, as well as headaches and backaches. These do not indicate any real damage has occurred, but they do point to the following possible causes and solutions:

1.      In setting up most computers, not enough attention is given to the proper design of the workstation, to lighting and to the position of reflective surfaces. Seat height is important and proper adjustment of the angel at which VDTs are viewed can make operators much more comfortable.

2.      The intensity, focus and clarity of the letters and figures on the screen are major sources of eyestrain. You should be able to control the brightness and contrast of the monitor you work with to achieve the most comfortable levels. You may also wish to look into coating the screen with a ultra-violet and in- fared screening material or wear tinted sunglasses.

3.      Periodic rest breaks are essential for adequate comfort and relief of fatigue. Your eyes may feel better is you use decongestant eye drops and rest your eyes totally for a few minutes during those breaks.

4.      Be sure that you are wearing a proper pair of prescription glasses. Uncorrected astigmatism or other refractive errors can cause the eye fatigue. Presbyopia (middle-age loss of focusing power for near by objects) requires bifocal or trifocals. However, because of the straight-ahead or upward slant of the VDT, ordinary bifocals (which normally require a person to look down through the glasses0 will force you to bend your neck back, which can give rise to a neck ache. You may specially designed reading glasses for the use only at the computer.

Conclusions

There is no evidence that frequent and constant use of the video display terminal can cause any permanent physical harm to the human eye, either from radiation or eyestrain. Most complaints about the eye related to VDT use are more likely due to other factors, such as seating, head position and the location of the terminal, as well as to reflections, the surrounding lighting and the quality of the image displayed on the screen

If, after taking all of the factors into account you are still having eye problems that you attribute to VDT use, you should have an eye examination and refraction to determine whether or not you need eyeglasses or whether the eyeglasses you are using are adequate for the type of work you are performing.