Life without technology is not possible, right? We have to admit the fact that technology is directly or indirectly involved in our lives. We cannot run away from it. We just can not deny its significance. Can we? Absolutely not!
Working for too long on the computer can directly lead us to many optic problems. Most common problem is eye strain. Eye strain ultimately causes Computer Vision Syndrome.
According to the Vision Council:
“Many people feel discomfort after the usage of the digital screen for over two hours. Individuals feel irritation and blurry vision. This state is referred as Digital eyestrain or computer eyestrain.”
If you are a computer user then, you might be wondering if you are a victim of digital eyestrain or CVS?
Well, some of the symptoms are:
- Blurry vision.
- Irritation in eyes.
- Dry eyes.
- A headache.
- Neck and back pain.
These symptoms might relate to digital eyestrain if you are frequent computer user and you spend much time on the computer.
These Symptoms can be caused due to a number of reasons:
- Working for too long on the computer.
- Bad seating posture.
- Poor lighting.
- Glare on the screens.
- Blue hues.
- Focusing and refocusing on a digital
- Repetitive eye movements.
- Poor screen display settings.
- Improper sitting distance from digital screen.
Again, recent researches found that about 33% people suffer from digital eyestrain.
Effects of Digital Eye Strain on Work Productivity
The office works are mostly related to computer tasks. About all the employees in a company require a computer to get their job done. Whatever the nature of the job is, the computer has become a backbone for Officeworks.
Sadly, the vision problems have aroused a great deal due to the excess usage of the computer. Majority of the employee’s performance is diminished due to the visual disturbance, they experience. They need to take more breaks due to these visual disturbances and their performance gets affected.
The Society For Human Resource Management (SHRM) says:
“About 79% of the people experience visual disturbance while working on the computer while more than 53% admit that they have to take break to rest their eyes because they feel uncomfortable.”
What’s more?
Even minor and unnoticeable vision problems can affect the productivity a lot! Even minor visual disturbances reduced the productivity level to about 20% and increased the chance of mistakes.
Blue Light Exposure
Most of the people spend their waking hours spent on computers. To be precise, about 60% people spend more than 6 hours on digital screen.
And blue light rays have many harmful effects on our eyes and it increases the chance of the permanent damage to our eyes.
You were probably wondering, what is blue light?
Here’s the answer. Blue light embraces an extremely short wavelength that produces a great sum of energy. Exposure to this blue light for a long time can cause serious harm to your eyes.
The digital screen technology has advanced to a great deal in today’s world. Most of the electronic device like our mobile phone, TV screens, laptops and tablets use LED (light emitting diode) technology to enhance the clarity and brightness of the screen. These LEDs emit strong blue light radiations. As these gadgets are becoming more popular day by day we are getting more exposed to the blue light and for longer time periods.
And these blue light radiations are becoming a major source of eye strain all around the globe. Moreover, it disturbs your sleep cycle and ability to focus. It is leading cause for CVS.
But! The blue light on your digital screens can be reduced. All you have to do is to lower the temperature of your computer’s screen, it will give it less blue light. You may also install software to reduce blue light or use Night shift mode to avoid blue light.
CVS and Worker’s Productivity
- The office works require plenty of computer-related tasks like data entry. The worker needs to focus and refocus much time on computer’s screens such that for hours which causes tiredness of eye and ultimately eye strain. Eye strain makes it difficult to maintain focus and causes headaches at times. The focus of the worker is disturbed and his ability to performances drastically.
- Computer related tasks are often very long and time taking. They require plenty of focus. They may affect the productivity level of the worker if the worker is not wearing the optimum correction glasses. The worker might feel uncomfortable while working.
- Workers who are unaware that they are experiencing some vision problems can also fail to reach the required productivity level. It is recommended to have an eye exam, once a year so that they may avoid visual discomforts.
How to Avoid Eye Strain and Increase Productivity Level?
As already discussed, eye strain can reduce worker’s productivity level.
No worries, we can always adopt the following mention methods to avoid digital eye strain.
1. Wear Computer Glasses
Now you may think, what are computer glasses?
Computer glasses are prescription glasses which are specifically designed to wear before working on the computer. It reduces eye strain and maintains focus on the screen.
Computer glasses help in minimizing the glare on the screen. They allow us to work more comfortably on the computer and for longer time periods.
Check out our buying guide for the best computer glasses on today’s market.
2. Consider Having an Eye Test
Employees have to invest the majority of their time working on computers. They need to get their medical eye checkup so that if they are facing some vision problem, it could be improved.
3. Lighting at Workspace
For employees, offices must be designed in such a way that there is proper lighting for them. Working for too long on computer screens which unfavourable light conditions can cause eyes to put a lot of pressure to focus which could prove to be a reason for eye strain.
4. Computer Display Settings
It is recommended for employees, to adjust their computer display settings such as brightness, contrast and text size in such a way that they can comfortably look at the screen.
It will allow them to maintain focus easily and their eyes do not have to put an extra effort on the screen to maintain focus.
5. Reduce the Glare
The office computers must have an anti-glare protection screen or computer screens to reduce the glare. The walls and floors even the furniture must not be shiny. They should not reflect the light.
Consider matte paints over walls and furniture to give employee’s eyes’ a comfortable environment.
6. Adjust Your Sitting Posture
Your sitting posture affects your vision a lot. Do not bend your head or neck towards the computer. Place your monitor about 20 inches away from your eyes.
Keep the monitor’s screen about 10 to 15 degrees below your eyes. It will help to look at the screen comfortably without your eyes to exert pressure.
7. Do Not Work Continuously
Whether it is a continuous computer task, it is advisable for employees to avoid working on computers for too long continuously.
Eyes need rest. They do need to rest at times. If you do not give your eyes rest at times, then it becomes difficult to maintain your focus and it disturbs your productivity level.
Conclusion
Eyes are a blessing. We should not take them for granted. As most of the computer-related tasks involve working on the computer, it produces many harmful effects on a computer such as an eye strain. It reduces your productivity level.
Nevertheless, no worries!
Eye strain can be treated and overcome if you follow the tips discussed above. These tips will surely help in improving the productivity rate to a great deal.
