The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health estimates that over 80 percent of those working with computers for more than three hours a day suffer from some form of eye strain, with the most common being Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), blurred vision, eye imitations such as dryness or burning, and headaches can be direct results of improper lighting an particular task. A Stiff neck andshoulder pain can also develop as the individual leans forward or backward to compensatefor poor lighting conditions. In the long-term, this awkward body positioning may contribute to musculoskeletal injuries. By dimming an appropriate balance of ambient, accent and task lighting, many of these problems can be avoided.

Studies have concluded that spending as little as three hours a day in front of a computer screen can result in symptoms of eye strain and lead to computer vision syndrome (CVS), a growing and costly-side effect of computer use in the workplace. The number of CVS suffers seeking treatment between 1992 and 1995 jumped from 10 million to 15 million, and, according to the American Optometric Association, U.S. companies andtheir workers combined spend $2 billion per year to diagnose and treat the condition. Experts recommend lower light levels for work areas where computers are used extensively.

Dimming lets staff adjust thelight levels in their work area when they switch back and forth from computer work to paper work.

Make no mistake much lighting is wasteful. Qualified lighting professionals have known for yearsthat high level of lighting throughout a space is wasteful.

The common office setting typically has too much light, 75 to 100 footcandles, for computer-related tasks. ANSI recommends 18 to 46 footcandles. Reducing the ambient light levels and incorporating a task light which can be directed away from the computer screen and onto the task area can achieve the desired balance.