Bosses could do more to cut screen fatigue

Employers were called on to review their occupational health policies this week after a new survey claimed that British industry loses £1.5bn annually due to eyestrain and headaches from VDU use.

Bosses could take the lead in efforts to ensure employees do not suffer from screen fatigue said the Eyecare Trust, organiser of National Eye Week which started on Monday (September 12).

More details of the survey, first reported in last week's optician, were published as the promotional week was launched. It has been revealed that 40 per cent of UK employees remain unaware that they can claim a free eye examination from their employers if they regularly use a computer monitor at work.

The shocking facts, taken from the Eyecare Trust's poll, carried out among 2,750 workers and in conjunction with Optrex, showed that a weekly figure of 53 hours of screen watching - via computer use and television - is not uncommon among adults in this country.

The addiction to computer use at home and work was well documented by the media's coverage of the Eyecare Trust's poll, with several national newspapers running the story. Expectations are that by this weekend over 30 radio stations will have carried the news.