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Computer workers prefer PALs over general-purpose lenses
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Most workers studied who use visual display units preferred the use of computer-specific progressive-addition lenses over general purpose lenses.
The computer-specific lenses reduced the workers’ perception of computer vision syndrome symptoms, although a majority of study participants were unaware such eye wear was available, according to a study published in Optometry and Vision Science.
“For individuals in Western societies, hardly a day passes without the use of an electronic visual display,” Kolbe and colleagues wrote. “Therefore, it is not surprising that the computer vision syndrome, also called digital eye strain, affects the majority of computer workers.”
Symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS) include eyestrain; headaches; irritated eyes; sore eyes; slowness of focus change; dry eyes; lighting and glare discomfort; blurred vision; double vision; neck, shoulder and back pain; after-image distortion; and color distortion.
In a subject-masked, randomized, crossover study, 190 subjects wore general purpose and computer-specific addition lenses in their personal work place for 2 weeks each. Glasses were tested by visual display unit workers only.
“The subjects were recruited from different government institutions (local tax office, employment agency, universities) as well as small- and medium-sized enterprises of the region around Jena, Germany,” the authors wrote. “All subjects worked on conventional visual display unit workplaces and fulfilled typical administrative visual display unit tasks, such as data entry and data analysis.”
After the test period, subjects filled out a 24-item questionnaire targeting comfort, lens type preference, reference person and willingness to purchase computer-specific progressive addition lenses (PALs).
“These results demonstrate the theoretical assumptions regarding the design and development of progressive-addition lenses for computer work, namely, that they improve the working conditions of visual display unit workers,” the authors wrote. “It appears that abandoning the far distance power and lowering the power range effectively decrease the magnitude of unwanted astigmatism, thereby leading to a subjectively perceived larger field of view with specific computer lenses.”
PALs in decreasing visual display unit worker perception of CVS symptoms and its low market penetration, optometrists should market these lenses to their patients. – by Scott Buzby
Disclosures: The study was sponsored by the Steinbeis committee Germany and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research Germany. The sponsor provided financial and material support but had no role in the study design, conduct, analysis and interpretation or writing.
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Kolbe O, et al. Optom Vis Sci. 2018;doi:10.1097/OPX.0000000000001295
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