Visual stress also may underlie complaints of general body fatigue, reduced efficiency at work and higher error rates as the day progresses. Behavioral optometrists have found that most of these symptoms are alleviated through a combination of correcting workstation conditions, posture, stress-relieving lenses prescribed specifically for VDT operation, and in some cases, through improving vision skills with visual training. Soon, some 35 million people will be using VDTs. If what has been learned about vision and VDTs is ignored millions will discover that such visual stress can generate serious, often permanent visual and eye problems. This pamphlet is a guide for making life with VDTs less stressful, more comfortable and more productive.
Humans have hunter-soldier eyes, essential to survival for spotting game or danger at a distance.
But during the past half century, nearly all our work and much of our recreation has shifted to seeing within arm's length. Although computer manufacturers have vastly improved their products, some VDT operators find their existing visual difficulties with nearpoint visual activities are complicated by sometimes blurred characters, an increase in the number and complexity of necessary eye movements and conditions, glare and distracting reflections, flicker, focusing shifts, and by sometimes poor lighting Changes in the way work is done will affect many first-time VDT users. Jobs which formerly allowed physical movement and opportunities to look away from near work now require extended, tiring concentration on a VDT image. Many people who could handle the visual stress of intermittent near work simply cannot deal with prolonged nearpoint tasks. Visual Stress Checklist VDT-related visual stress may underlie many direct and indirect symptoms.