Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) : Recognition and Control in Software Professionals

Kamla-Raj 2009
J Hum Ecol, 28(1): 67-69 (2009)
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS):

Recognition and Control in Software Professionals
Namrata Arora Charpe* and Vandana Kaushik**
*FRM, Banasthali University, Banasthali, Rajasthan, India
Telephone: +91-01438-228503, Mobile: +919929063974,
E-mail: [email protected]
**FRM, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
KEYWORDS Computer Vision Syndrome. Occupational Hazards. Fitness Program
ABSTRACT Musculoskeletal Disorders among video display terminal (VDT) users have become a worldwide problem.
Computer Vision Syndrome holds the distinction of being called the number one occupational hazard of the 21st
century. Prevention of injury and illness is, obviously, the best approach, but comprehensive health care and safety
programs can help to reduce corporate sectors workplace injuries, absenteeism or presenteeism and related expenses.
A fitness program was designed to reduce the symptoms of CVS in software professionals. A pre and post-test study was
conducted to evaluate the effect of the fitness program. The study revealed that the fitness program helped to reduce
the symptoms of CVS in software professionals.
INTRODUCTION
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is the
number one occupational hazard of the 21st
century. CVS symptoms may effect as many as
70 percent of all computer users. Visual effort is
greater when looking at the computer screen as
compared to that when looking at a paper. This
can be attribut-ed to the fact that blinking of eyes
is 22 times per minute when looking at a paper
which reduces to 7 blinks per minute while
looking at a computer screen. This leads to dry
eyes. Thus when using a computer, the eyes strain
as they attempt to maintain focus, or may be
incapable of obtaining focus at all.
CVS is marked by eyestrain, tired and burning
eyes, headaches, blurred vision, neck and back
pain and muscle spasms. Computer work has not
yet proven to cause permanent damage to eyes,
but temporary discomfort that may occur can
reduce productivity. It can cause lost work time
and reduce job satisfaction. The performance on
a specific task can be significantly decreased due
to CVS, as much as 40 percent. This includes a
reduction in work accuracy and a decrease in task
volume.
Literature Reviewed
Working at a computer is more visually
demanding than doing other standard office work
such as reading printed documents. Aspects of
the design of the computer video display such
as screen resolution and contrast, image refresh

rates and flicker and screen glare, as well as
working distances and angles all may contribute
to worker symptoms (Campbell and Durden 1983).
Employees using VDUs a large part of their
working days frequently report their eyesight is
quite badly affected at work and for some time
afterwards. Daum (2002) strongly suggests that
improving the visual status of workers using
computers results in greater productivity in the
workplace, as well as improved visual comfort.
The visual symptoms can largely be resolved with
proper management of the environment and by
providing proper visual care for the employees
(Sheddy 1992).
The symptoms of CVS-headaches and
eyestrain- can force employees to shut down.
Even the symptoms are negligible; they can affect
performance and productivity in a big way.
Companies can choose to understand and
address the hazards of computer use. The gain
can be extremely significant, both for employer
and the employees (Torrey 2004). Operating a VDT
may lead to visual, muscular or mental fatigue.
Some people need corrective lenses to avoid eye
strain and headaches. Studies show that 50%90% of computer users experience the symptoms
of CVS (www.myeyeworld.com).
METHODOLOGY
Study Location: A need assessment survey
was conducted in software companies in Jaipur
NAMRATA ARORA CHARPE AND VANDANA KAUSHIK
68
city, Rajastan, India. The fitness program was

implemented in selected software development
companies.
Selection of Study Population: The study
population was computer professionals working
on software development. Sixty male subjects (30
in the control group, and 30 in the experimental
group) were chosen in the age group of 2535
years, having at least one-year experience in a
similar kind of work.
Tool Development: A questionnaire was
developed to collect data about perceived
symptoms of CVS.
Designing of the On-the-Job Fitness
Program: A set of exercises for eyes that could
be performed on-the-job was designed. Each
exercise was of about 1020 seconds duration..
Implementation of the On-the-Job Fitness
Program: The experimental group of 30 subjects
was exposed to the fitness program while the
control group was not offered training.
RESULTS
Perceived CVS Symptoms: It is evident from
Table 1 that majority (90%) of the respondents
reported severe pain in the head and eye region.
10% respondents reported moderate pain in eyes
and head region. None of the respondents was
totally free from any feeling of discomfort in eyes.
The eyes are exposed for prolonged periods to
the atmospheric air directly while working on a
VDT which leads to increased evaporation and
symptoms arise as dry eyes.
Table 1: Percentage distribution of respondents
on symptoms of computer vision syndrome
Range
0-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
Above 40
No. of respondents
Severity level
nil
nil
nil
10
90
No pain
Very mild
Mild
Moderate
Severe
This can be attributed to the fact that when

looking at the computer, the eyelids are in a static
straight position and blinking reduces to 7 per
minute from 22 per minute in a normal condition.
Looking at a computer typically means looking
straight ahead hence more of our eye surface is
exposed, and the tear film can evaporate causing
a dry, burning and gritty sensation (Torrey 2004).
Impact of Fitness Program: Musculoskeletal
problems are closely connected to the visual
demands of computer tasks. Visual symptoms

occur because as we approach age 40 the ability
of our eyes to focus on closer objects decreases
as the eyes lenses become less and less flexible.
Thus when using a computer, the eyes strain as
they attempt to maintain focus, or may be
incapable of obtaining focus at all. It has been
acknowledged that vision can have a powerful
influence on computer users posture and
comfort.
The statistical summary in Table 2 reveals that
the mean for the symptoms of CVS decreased
from 45.1 in the pre test to 25.4 in the post test.
The C.V. on the other hand increased from 11.30%
to 14.17%.
Table 2: Statistical summary of symptoms of CVS
PrT exp
PT exp
Range
Mean
S.E.
S.D.
C.V.%
34-54
21-35
45.1
25.4
0.94
0.66
5.1
3.6
11.30
14.17
The t value (19.01) in Table 3 reveals that there

was a significant difference between the
symptoms of CVS in the pre test and post test of
the experimental group. The t value i.e. (18.78) of
post test in the experimental and control group
also suggest a considerable difference in the CVS
symptoms. Musculoskeletal problems are closely
connected to the visual demands of computer
tasks. It is mentioned in www.worksupport.com,
employees should be provided training on
exercises that can be combined into a brief fiveminute routine. The exercise should stretch the
muscle groups in various regions of the body.
Proper exercises are a complement to a complete
office ergonomics problem. The approach should
be individualized to the worker needs.
Table 3: Paired t test before and after training for
symptoms of CVS
PrT exp vs PT exp
PT exp vs PT con
**Significant at 1%
Mean difference
tcal
19.7
18.7
19.01**
18.78**
In order to streamline the computer work

process, the design of the visual task
environment and the vision of the person need
to be optimized. If there is a problem with the
persons vision, then they will not be able to
perform their job as well as they should.
Due to the impact of CVS on workers comfort
and productivity, the American Optometric
COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME
Association believes that more attention needs

to be given to reducing the impact of computer
related vision problems in the workplace and to
providing appropriate eye and vision care for
workers who use computers on a regular basis
(www.aoa.org).
If the process efficiency of a VDT user is to
be improved, it is important that the worker has
good vision. It is beneficial to exercise the eyes
by periodically focusing on objects at varying
distances. This is the best control to avoid visual
fatigue. Practicing blinking regularly can be good
for visual health .The visual symptoms can largely
be resolved with proper management of the
environment and by providing proper visual care
for the employee
Besides the comfort of the user, proper makes
economic sense too. Visual problems lead to 48% slower performance on occupational tasks
(Harris and Sheddy 1992).
Prolonged viewing of the monitor at close
distance leads to fatigue of convergence and its
weakness / insufficiency. This consequently leads
to eye strain, pain and headache. It is thus
important to address the problem and sort out
the solutions for it.
The study revealed that frequent breaks while
working on a VDT can help to reduce symptoms
of CVS in software professionals. This can lead
to a better general well being of an individual and
69
can prove to be beneficial in increasing productivity of the workers. The approach expands the
value of programs to improve health and reduce
lifestyle risks to health by quantifying their
combined effect on medical costs, absences, work
performance and turnover.
REFERENCES
Campbell FW, Durden, K 1983. The Visual Display
Terminal Issue: A Consideration of its Physiological,
Psychological and Clinical Background. Ophthalmological Physiological Optometry, 3: 175-192.
Daum KM, Clore KA, Simms SS, Vesely JW, Wilczek
DD, Spittle BM, Good GW 2002. Productivity
associated with visual status of computer users.
Optometry, 75(1): 1-15.
Harris MG, Sheddy JE, Gan CM 1992. Vision and Task
Performance with Monovision and Diffractive
Bifocal Contact Lenses. Optometry and Vision
Science, 69(8): 609-614.
Sheddy J E 1992. Vision Problems at Video Display
Terminals: A survey of Optometrists. J Am Optom
Assoc, 63: 687-692.
Torrey J 2004. Computer eyeglasses for employees= good
business. http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/sidworker-productivity.htm (As retrieved on March 23,
2006).
Website 2005. http://www.aoa.org/x1876.xml. The
Relationship of Computer Vision Syndrome to
Musculoskeletal Disorders. (As retrieved on July 7,
2005).
Website 2005. http://www.myeyeworld.com/files/
visionsyndrome. htm (As retrieved on April, 25,
2005).

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Kamla-Raj 2009

J Hum Ecol, 28(1): 67-69 (2009)