Optical glass glare filters on computer monitors can dramatically reduce health and vision problems related to computer glare and help boost productivity in full-time computer users, according to a Cornell University study.

After using a glass anti-glare filter, the percentage of daily or weekly problems related to lethargy / tiredness, tired eyes, trouble focusing eyes, itching / watery eyes and dry eyes was half what they were before filter use for people who use computer monitors all day at work, said ergonomist Alan Hedge, Ph.D., Cornell professor of design and environmental analysis and director of the Human Factors Laboratory at Cornell.

Also, 80 percent of users reported that the filters made it easier to read their screens and more than half said that the filters helped their productivity.

"I was very surprised how well the filters worked in this study," said Hedge. "Seeing such large differences in an ergonomic intervention is very unusual. It leads me to conclude that if there is screen glare, using an optical glass glare filter is one of the most effective things you can do to improve the visual environment for people working on computers."

With a corporate ergonomist at Honeywell, Inc. in Phoenix, Ariz., and a Cornell graduate student, Hedge set out to determine whether a good quality anti-glare filter actually benefits workers. They surveyed 194 full-time computer workers in eight buildings at Honeywell. An initial survey asked about lighting and screen glare problems; a second survey queried the same workers one month after two-thirds received a glass anti-glare, anti-static screen filter. The final survey was conducted one month after the remaining third also received glare filters.

In the study, monitor size, brand and screen background / text colors varied; all the filters had the same optically coated glass that met specifications set by the American Optometric Association (AOA) for glare reduction.

According to the study, overall worker reactions were extremely positive to the filters, and the vast majority of workers said they like using them.

The researchers found: 

• 75 percent of workers reported glare problems before filter use; less than one-third reported problems after given a filter.
• 89 percent said that the filters improved the quality of the screen image by enhancing sharpness, contrast, color and brightness;
• 81 percent reported that the filter made it easier to read the screen;
• 73 percent said text was clearer.
• 34 percent said there was less screen flicker with the filter.
• the percentage of workers reporting symptoms of lethargy / tiredness went from 78 percent before filter use to 36 percent after filter use;
• tired eyes from 86 percent to 40 percent;
• trouble focusing eyes from 60 percent to 33 percent;
• itching / watering eyes from 50 percent to 28 percent;
• dry eyes from 52 percent to 24 percent; and
• headaches from 53 percent to 32 percent.

Hedge served on the committee that revised the ANSI/HFS 100 standard for computer work environments, which included recommendations for optically-coated glass anti-glare filters.

The report, Effects of Using an Optical Glass Glare Filter on Computer Worker’s Visual Health and Performance: Results of an Ergonomic Field Study, is available for $15. The report can be ordered by calling (607) 255-2168, fax (607) 255-0305. For further details, contact Dr. Alan Hedge, Human Factors Laboratory, DEA, MVR, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, phone (607) 255-1957 or e-mail <ah29@cornell.edu>. More information on the Human Factors Laboratory and its research is available on the World Wide Web at<http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/>.