Eye Strain as a Result of Computer Use :: Technology Computers Health Vision Essays

Eye Strain as a Result of Computer Use In the twentieth century, technology is at an all time high in the world. This technology includes research, stock market shares, computers, medical advances, and a vast variety of other things. Among the advanced technology is a break through of computer use. Almost everyone at sometime in their day is using a computer for one task or another. Computers have taken the world and reshaped the possibilities of ideas and dreams in the past decade. Millions of people are using a computer daily according to Anshel (1996). This work on the computer can ran range from five minutes a day to eight hours a day depending on they type of job a person holds. Today's job market, employees are accustomed to working with a computer. This could include data entry clerks, an internet consultant, a bank teller, a librarian, and especially secretaries. The field is open to just about anyone. Often overlooked are the students that use computers on a daily basis. Many college students depend on the use of computers classes whether it be for fun or recreational use. Sometimes the convience of using computers comes with a high price to pay. The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) says that eyestrain is the leading problem in computer use. This even exceeds such common problems as carpal tunnel syndrome. (Atencio 1996) Eyestrain and eye fatigue lead to many other complications if it is a continuous problem. One of these problems includes myopia. There are many ways of relieving eye fatigue and helping the symptoms of myopia. These problems can be onset in younger years when children are in school. Since most schools in the country are using computers as a main source of education, eyestrain can be a linked to myopia. There are many options people or companies have to improve the conditions under which the person is working. Eyestrain is defined as blurred or double vision, burning, irritation, headaches, gritty eye sensation, eye fatigue, neck and shoulder pain, color perception change, decreased visual efficiency, more frequent errors and reduced efficiency. (Atencio 1996, Palmer 1993, Nunoo 1997) Eyestrain is also known as asthenopia. It simply means visual strain. (Palmer 1993) Dr. Paul F. Bommarito also said that 88% of heavy computer users experience these problems. (Fletcher 1996) Palmer suggest that eye fatigue is often caused by the eye muscles becoming tired much like other muscles in our body.