Computer use among library professionals has increased significantly due to digitization of services. Prolonged computer use can cause computer vision syndrome, with symptoms like headaches, eye strain and blurred vision. To prevent this, library professionals should practice good ergonomics like taking regular breaks, ensuring proper lighting and monitor position, and seeing an optometrist. Simple measures like blinking regularly, using lubricating drops and anti-fatigue lenses can help reduce computer vision syndrome among library staff.

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1. Introduction
It is not uncommon these days to see library professionals spend a significant part of their day glued to
computer screens because the concept of automated and digital library. Computers are now an essential
component of all spheres of library housekeeping works such as acquisition, cataloguing, circulation,
serial control, digitization and online search etc. In fact, digitization has overtaken library services and
demand. Computerized library works and services can have adverse effects on eye health of library
professionals. Which can’t be seen at the moment but it will badly effect in later age. This may cause of
‘Computer Vision Syndrome.’
Computer Vision Syndrome among Library
Professionals
1
Nitesh Singh Pawar, 2
Mayuri Asalkar, 3
Subodh Kumar Bajpai
and 4
Surendra Kumar Soni
1
Professional Assistant, DA-IICT, Gandhinagar-382007, Gujrat
2
Librarian, Choitram International School, Indore-452009, M.P.
3
Project Assistant-LS, INFLIBNET Centre, Gandhinagar-382421, Gujrat
4
Library Trainee, DA-IICT, Gandhinagar-382007, Gujrat
E-mail: niteshsinghpawar@gmail.com, charmi.singh10@gmail.com,
kumarsubodh779@gmail.com, sonisurendra43@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The most widespread problem in computer use today is not carpal tunnel syndrome, nor is it those nagging
problems of the upper back, neck, or shoulders. According to the National Institute of Occupational
Health and Safety (NIOSH), The number one cause of high levels of fatigue, errors at work and lost
days of production is eye strain. NIOSH studies indicate that if you work at a computer for more than 3
hours a day, you may be among the 88 percent who suffer from eyestrain. Our Nation has moved from
a manufacturing society to an information society, computer vision syndrome has become a workplace
concern specially among library fraternity. While prolonged computer use will not damage vision, it can
make you uncomfortable and decrease productivity and efficiency.
Keywords: Computer vision syndrome, Eyes, Library professionals health, Vision Deficits, Eye and
vision problems, Visual Fatigue syndrome, Computers fatigue, Library professionals.

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2. What is basically “Computer Vision and Visual Fatigue Syndrome” is ?:
Generally people who spend more than two hours on a computer each day may experience symptoms of
Computer Vision Syndrome. It is also called Visual Fatigue because, it is actually not restricted to computer
use but crops up in other contexts as well. However, with society’s ever increasing use of computers,
smart phones, tablets and other screen-based media devices, screen time is mostly responsible for the
condition. Today Library professionals have to deal with electronic resources, online reference services
and database management systems they have to sit for long hours in front of computers screen to manage
most of the daily routines and slowly they will be effected by so called Computer Vision Syndrome, which
can effect them in present lifestyle and badly in later life.
3. Definition:
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) refers to the vision problems that result from prolonged computer use.
They are usually caused by a combination of improper seating posture, poor lighting in the room, glare
from the computer screen, sitting too close or too far from the screen, and uncorrected eye health disorders.
4. Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome:
The Most Common Symptoms of CVS Among Library Professionals are:
• Headaches • Focusing difficulties
• Burning eyes • Tired eyes
• General eyestrain • Aching eyes
• Dry eyes • Double vision
• Blurred vision • Light sensitivity
• Neck and shoulder pain.
5. What Library Professionals do to Protect Themselves from Computer Vision
Syndrome
May be library professionals love to spend more time surfing the net or your job might require you to sit
in front of your computers for long hours. Whatever the reason is, your body must be feeling the effects
of spending too much time on your computer. Eye and vision problems are most frequently reported
health-related problem in library professionals/computer workers, occurring in 75-80 % of such workers.
The most common symptoms are eye strain, headache, blurred vision, and neck or shoulder pain. These
problems may be exacerbated or may occur more quickly in users who are more then 40 years old, as the
flexibility of the lens within the eyes decreases with age. The same is increased among younger generations
of library profession at 35+ now a days.
5.1. Why this is More Dangerous Among Library Professionals: Work that is both visually and
physically fatiguing can result in lowered productivity, increased error rate, and reduced job satisfaction.
Although vision disorders may initially occur as localized fatigue and subside after work has been
discontinued, they often return when work is resumed. Unlike in other form of localized fatigue, in which
the muscles are able to accommodate, the visual system has less ability to adapt to the conditions that
cause the fatigue.As a result some vision problems become more significant over time and may be further
aggravated by poor VDT(video display terminals) design or workplace ergonomics, improper workplace
lighting, and further aggravated by poor VDT design or improper workplace lighting, and uncorrected or
under corrected vision conditions. Steps should be taken to reduce these deficiencies and thereby reduce
the potential for development of stress and discomfort at work place.

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5.2. Few Simple Steps to Prevent Computer Vision Syndrome for Library Professionals:
Library professionals must set general ergonomic considerations at work place as follows-
1. Monitors should be positioned 20 to 24 inches from the eyes, with the eyes in a downward gaze of
about 15 degrees when viewing the screen. The top of the screen should be below the horizontal
eye level of the operator and tilted backward slightly.
2. Library professionals who wear bifocals should lower the monitor by 6 inches.
3. Library professionals must put Desktop reading material be positioned at a 20-degree incline
approximately 20 inches away from the eyes (the “20/20 rule”). Document holders should be
positioned near the computer screen and in the same plane as the screen to avoid eye strain; they
should also be frequently alternated between the left and right sides of the screen. Users should rest
their eyes frequently by changing their focus from close to distance vision.
4. Lighting Effect: Avoid the Glair – lets see this with few slides how to avoid glairs on your tables.
Glair effect above
5. Best Office Setup to Avoid Glair:

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6. Library Professionals Must Set Their Computer Settings
Light reflected from the computer screen can reduce contrast and visibility of the display, leading to eye
strain. Bright lights in the peripheral field of view, windows, overhead fluorescent lights, and desk lamps
can all contribute to glare. A compromise must be struck between the amount of light needed to enhance
computer screen visibility and reduce glare, and that needed for other office reading and work tasks.
Generally speaking, older individuals require more light than younger individuals; for example, workers
45-50 years of age require twice the light levels of young adults for comfortable work.
The brightness of the computer screen and that of the surrounding room should be balanced. Lower levels
of light are needed for dim-background screens, and higher levels when viewing documents. Lighting
levels of 200 to 700 lux (20 to 70 foot candles), as measured at the workstation, are recommended.
Additional lighting for reading poor-quality documents may be obtained through the use of a task light.
The monitor should be positioned at a 90-degree angle to strong light sources such as windows or bright
lights. Computer users should avoid facing an unshaded window, as the difference in brightness between
the monitor screen and the area behind it may be very stressful to the eyes. Users should also not face
away from the window, as they can then cast shadows on the computer screen. Shades, curtains, or blinds
can be used to adjust light levels during the day. Screen brightness and contrast can also be adjusted to
balance with room lighting and provide maximum visibility; lowering screen brightness will enhance image
stability and reduce character flicker.Anti-glare filters can be placed over the VDT screen to reduce glare
and reflections, but these should be considered supplemental and are not a substitute for proper lighting and
monitor placement. Furthermore, some filters are ineffective; only those with the seal of acceptance from
the AOA have been proven to reduce monitor glare. The ideal color combination for viewing documents
is a white background with black letters. Users should avoid using more than four colors on the screen at
a time. Strain-producing color combinations include blue and green, and blue and red.
7. Correction of Existing Vision Deficits:
If you think you are experiencing eye strain and have done all you can to enhance your work environment,
see your eye doctor for an examination and talk to him or her about prescription eyeglasses designed
specifically for computer users. Standard eye examinations do not simulate computer screens; new
technology can enable your eye doctor to prescribe glasses that are designed for the way you read text on
a computer screen. Special lens coatings can also reduce glare and maximize visual comfort. Be sure to
take frequent breaks to get your eyes focused off the screen and into the distance to relax the eye muscles.
VDT workers who experience problems with eye focusing or eye coordination that cannot be adequately
corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses may require a program of optometric vision therapy designed
to treat specific binocular vision dysfunctions.
8. Give Break to Your Eyes:
Library professions must avoid staring at the computers for hours at a stretch. Make sure you take a few
minutes break every 2 hours. Just get up from your seat and look away from the system. Stretch your body
, arms, and back to rest the muscles of the entire body. Do not eat lunch in front of a computer, make sure
your eyes are rested at least as you eat. Hold your daily meeting away from computer screen and best
part just take a walk around your workplace for a few minutes to give your eyes, neck and back a break.
9. Use Anti –Fatigue Spectacles Lenses for Library/Computer professionals
Getting your glasses customized from your eye specialist will make it easier for you. Contact lenses lose
moisture and tend to dry out during prolonged hours of computer work. Crizal Anti-Fatigue lens which
comes with Antireflection properties is considered really helpful to reduce eye strain due to computer

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screens. Even if you do not wear or need vision correction, you are advised to
wear anti fatigue spectacle lenses while at work.
10. Library professions must Avoid continuous phone talk by
seeing computer screens as they generally do for reference
and other services
11. Lubricate Your Eyes:
The eyes are lubricated when we blink.
However when we stay on computers at
work normally our normal blinking can get
affected. These conditions can cause dry eyes
and irritation to the eyes . Blink more often
and do not rub your eyes, also drink sufficient
water. Its also helps to splash water into the
eyes once 2-3 hours, It calms the eyes and
hydrates them. Wash your eyes 2-3 times a
day every after 3 hours. You can also ask to
your doctor for prescribe lubricating eye drops
with no side effects.
12. Beware of Addiction: While it is essential to work at the computers throughout the day, it is not
essential to keep your eyes glued to your smart phone just to update your social status on the social network
or to send a smile back to friend on Whatsapp or on FB update. Please keep in mind never take them to
bed as it will obstructs sleep and denies you some much needed rest every night.
Above all technology is for you , not for you to addict of that……..eyes are most precious thing in this
world. And this is for all- see it from your heart
6. Protect Yourself from Computer Vision
Syndrome :- Library professionals must follow
the best postures to sit-
6.1. Arial View of Proper Sitting Position :
See below.
7.Suggestions&TipsforLibraryProfessionals:
Computer Vision Syndrome can be avoided by
taking the following simple corrective measures-
• The top of the monitor screen should be
level with the straight ahead seeing position.
• The distance from the viewer’s eyes to the
screen should be 45 to 55 cm
• If the screen is too high, the eyes are wide
open making the eye susceptible to drying
out

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• Reference material should be placed as
close as possible to the screen.
• Adjust monitor screen brightness and
contrast to a comfortable setting.
• Reflected glare on the monitor screens
from overhead lights can be minimized by
an anti-glare screen attached to the screen.
• Alternatively turn the screen off and check
for any reflections. Move light sources,
take out the offending light bulbs, or adjust
the position of the screen to minimize
reflections.
• Rest breaks are important. Glancing into
the distance every 4 or 5 minutes for 1 to
2 seconds will ease eye strain. Get up and
walk at least once every 2 hours.
• Consider the use of artificial tears to rewet and lubricate the eyes.
• Make sure you sit in a comfortable posture and your chair provides comfortable padding for your
neck and back.Adjust your computer screen in such a way that your head is at a naturally comfortable
angle while working.
• Rest your eyes for 15 minutes after two hours of continuous computer use. Also follow the 20-20-
20 rule: after every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away into the distance for 20 seconds. This will give
your eyes a chance to refocus.
• Use lighting that is neither too dim nor too bright. Also use anti-glare screens to minimize the glare
from light sources.
• Make an effort to blink regularly. It will keep your eyes moist and protect your eye health from
problems such as dry eyes.
8. Conclusion
Library professionals and library professions are the heart of the any organization, they always have to deal
with books and references resources which keeps them busy with the small fonts already.Additionally now
maximum work of reference services , current awareness services and database management, classification
, cataloguing and reprographic services they have to use the technological advances and have to stay long
on computers for daily routine work. Slowly the problem of computer vision syndrome exists in their life
style and damage in heath after some time. So better then late we have to take preventive actions in our
life style to avoid these dangerous problem.
Eye and vision problems are the most frequently reported health-related problem in computer workers and
can lead to lowered productivity, increased error rate, and reduced job satisfaction. Steps should be taken
to reduce the potential for development of stress and related ocular discomfort in the workplace. Such
measures include frequent rest breaks, ergonomic alterations to the workstation, use of proper lighting,
and correction of vision deficits.
Prevalence of computer vision syndrome among library staff is high and a substantial proportion of staffs do
not have good knowledge and attitude on visual ergonomics. We would like to recommend that preventive
strategies such as awareness campaigns and trainings on visual ergonomics should be organized by the
management so as to reduce the prevalence of CVS and among library staffs.

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Last but not the least “prevention is always better then cure” for this particular problem.
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8. Dataquest January 2015
9. crizal.com (http://www.crizal.com.sg/ranges/category/anti-fatigue )
10. National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH)