§ Baroness Macleod of Borveasked Her Majesty's Government:
What guidance is being given to employers and employees to protect the eyesight of those who work frequently with visual display units.
§ Lord InglewoodThere is no evidence that work with visual display units causes any permanent damage to eyes or eyesight, but it can cause temporary visual fatigue. Under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, employees who habitually use a display screen as a significant part of their normal work can ask their employer to provide them with eye and eyesight tests, and special spectacles if required.
Employers should also help minimise eyestrain by providing satisfactory lighting and taking steps to avoid refections and glare on screen. The Health and Safety Executive has explained these points in its guidance publications. These include an illustrated booklet VDUs:an easy guide to the Regulations, which gives practical advice for employers, and a free leaflet Working with VDUs for employees, copies of which are available in the Library.