Ajay Kumar Bhootra B Optom DOS FAO FOAI FCLI ICLEP FIACLE (Australia)
Diploma in Sportvision (UK) CEO and Dean Krishnalaya School of Optometry Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Basics of Computer Vision Syndrome
First Edition: 2014
9789351524137
Printed at
5Dedicated to
My Preceptor
Dr (Prof) Barry Tannen od fcovd faao
Dr (Prof) Tannen taught me “Vision Therapy—Diagnosis and Management of Accommodative/Binocular Dysfunction”. I humbly dedicate this book to him.
I feel proud to acknowledge that study materials and presentations provided by him helped me a lot to complete this book.
7Preface
The introduction of computers during 1970 gave rise to lot of stormy controversial debate. The controversy was wide-ranging from workplace ergonomics, lighting to health and work stress. Soon, it was detected that computer operator reported some common visual symptoms that were not so commonly seen before, which fuelled the fears that computers may harm vision. This provided a new platform for the researchers, especially about the claims that intensive visual work with computer screens will damage the eyes. However, computers are now accepted as an integral part of life; we use them at work and at home and also while leisure without so much second thought. Computers are no more special. In fact, the application of computers has totally transformed the lifestyle of the human being, restricting the movement of body as well as limiting the viewing range. The problem is not only limited to adults. Many children use computers for educational and recreational purposes. The way the children use the computers may make them even more susceptible to the development of computer related vision symptoms. Children often continue performing their enjoyable task without breaks until they are near exhaustion. Such prolonged activity may increase eye-focusing problems and eye irritation. An additional issue is that computer workstations are typically arranged for adults. Therefore, a child using computer on such typical arrangement may result in one or more computer related vision symptoms.
This calls into question the term “Computer Vision Syndrome”— A widely spreading but largely unknown epidemic among computer users. Today computer-related eyestrain is considered as the No. 1 office health complaint in the world. Despite the large number of people are affected by computer-related problems—many of them have not heard of computer vision syndrome. This may be considered as an alarming condition for India where health consciousness is still far behind.
It is a known fact that early intervention reduces the prevalence of visual discomfort among computer users. There is no question that employers have an increased obligation to ensure that workplace and work tasks are well-designed and do not impose unnecessary 8physical and psychological stress. It is also their duty that they should arrange regular eye check up for their employees. Ophthalmologists and optometrists should also assure that any individual working for more than two hours at a stretch on computers should be given specialized eye care services. School teachers should also talk about computer vision syndrome while lecturing on various aspects of computer science. Parents must ensure that their children should have periodic eye examination with necessary treatment. In fact, we all need to remember that
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Ajay Kumar Bhootra