Industry lobbies for action on CVS problems
Vision experts concerned about the impact of computer vision syndrome (CVS) in the workplace are taking their battle to governments and agencies throughout the United States.
"We’re working in the legislative arena, at both the state and federal level to ensure that computer vision syndrome is recognized as a potential cause of RSIs (repetitive stress injuries), under any regulation created," says Jon Torrey, president of PRIO Corporation, a Lake Oswego, OR-based manufacturer of an optical testing instrument that measures the eye’s reaction to a computer video display. "PRIO has twice appeared before federal OSHA as part of its process of developing a new ergonomic standard. We’ve also presented these vision issues directly to the ergo standard rule-making team there. In California, we’ve been working to influence CalOSHA for about two years to reinterpret their ’97 Ergonomic Standard to include CVS."
These efforts, says Torrey, are part of PRIO’s overall campaign "to convince the world that good computer-specific vision care is not just the most cost-effective step in keeping employees comfortable and productive at their computer; it is simply the most effective step."
Kent Daum, OD, PhD, associate professor at the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Optometry, serves on the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) environmental/occupational vision committee.
"Our committee has attempted to gather, distribute, and publish viewpoints and position papers that have to do with Computer Vision Syndrome," he says. "We’ve been working with the Department of Labor, and the new ergonomic standard OSHA is involved in. We’ve been in Washington with the people who are writing the guidelines, making them aware of our concern for individuals who work at computers, and how important it is that they have proper vision care."
Daum says an initial draft of those standards may be available shortly. "We’re real hopeful that CVS will be covered under the guidelines," he declares.
Meanwhile, his committee is working on a CVS resource kit for human resources and employee health professionals, which should be available shortly through the AOA. "We’re working real hard to help both the public and health care practitioners to know what CVS is, that the problem can be solved, and understanding the solutions," he concludes.
Sources
• Tom Albin, 3M, 3M Center Building, 230 Two South 13, St. Paul, MN, 55144-1000. Telephone: (651) 733-9711. E-mail: [email protected].
• Jeffrey Anshel, Corporate Vision Consulting, 842 Arden Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024. Telephone/Fax: (760) 944-1200. Web site: www.cvconsulting. com.
• Kent Daum, OD, PhD, School of Optometry, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294. Telephone: (205) 934-6763. E-mail: [email protected].
• Jim Sheedy, OD, PhD, SOLA Optical, 136 Hillcroft Way Walnut Creek, CA 94596. Telephone: (800) 333-7652, ext. 6446.
• Jon Torrey, PRIO Corporation, 4000 Kruse Way Place, Suite 2-355, Lake Oswego, OR 97035-2545. Telephone: (503) 636-3707. Toll-Free: (800) 621-1098. E-mail: [email protected].
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