Some corporations are considering integrating computer reading glasses to increase productivity. Why? Studies show an exponential growth in cases of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). And computer visions syndrome isn’t just something that occurs with older folks; it has also been diagnosed in children who are heavy computer users as well.
The increase in computer vision syndrome has also led to an increase in prescribed bifocal reading glasses, where one of the lenses is specifically adapted to the distance and function required to reduce fatigue while working at the computer.
The headaches and eye strain we develop from computer vision syndrome occur because our brains process printed text differently than text rendered by a computer display. Our brains and our eyes endure less stress when maintaining focus upon the well-defined edges and dark letters of printed text.
While computer display technology is growing by leaps and bounds, modern displays still can’t offer the same clean edges and contrast of printed text. Text you see on a computer display is rendered by tons of tiny pixels, like miniature light bulbs lighting that portion of the screen.
Hundreds of these miniature light bulbs are utilized to display just one number or one letter. While you may not consciously perceive it, it strains our eyes as well as our brains to maintain a reliable focus on these broken-up versions of letters. Our eyes instead focus on a RPA (“resting point of accommodation).
Thus our eyes instinctively reduce focus to this resting point of accommodation then contrive a sharpened focus on the computer display. This is something our eyes and our brains constantly endure while we work on our computers. The persistent flex of muscles in and around our eyes farms a conditioned fatigue.
This conditioned fatigue reduces our eye blinking which in turn causes additional problems. We normally blink between 15 and 25 times each minute. Multiple clinical trials suggest long periods of using a computer produces a drastic reduction of our blinking. In statistically significant situations, this has led to a reduction to as few as 3 to 5 blinks every minute.
Beyond the strain on our eye muscles, this results in dry eyes. The long term ramifications include induced asthenopia and worker fatigue disproportional for the time spent working or the amount of work accomplished, resulting in greatly reduced productivity. Additionally, this can also cause individuals to experience presbyopia sooner.
Thus larger and more progressive corporations are investigating whether it would be worth investing in computer reading glasses for their employees. Less eye strain while at the computer may result in increased productivity.