Working Can Be Hazardous to Your Eyes

The daily chores of many office jobs can cause eyestrain, according to the following sources, cited in an article in Managed Care Week:

* The American Optometric Association says nearly 90 percent of all workers using computers experience computer vision syndrome, a condition characterized by excessive eyestrain or irritation.

* The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that miscorrected or uncorrected refractive problems may be one of the leading causes of eyestrain among computer users.

* The World Health Organization recommends at least one eye exam for all computer operators before they begin work and subsequent eye examinations beyond age 40.

* Nearly 50 percent of America's workforce is 40 years of age or older--a time when people are more likely to experience presbyopia, a condition characterized by difficulty in reading small print.