Effectiveness of the C-Sharp for Reducing Ergonomic Problems at VDT Workstations

Abstract

The C-Sharp was designed to help reduce some of the ergonomic problems associated with long-term use of visual display terminal (VDT) workstations. The C-Sharp projects the viewed image at a farther distance than typical VDTs to reduce the amount of muscular work involved in accommodation and convergence to near targets. This may help to reduce or eliminate visual strain and temporary myopia. It was also designed to eliminate glare. The present study was conducted to evaluate the C-Sharp from a human factors standpoint and to assess its ability to reduce problems related to VDT use. Results indicate that the C-Sharp meets many of the recommendations of the American National Standard for Human Factors Engineering of Visual Display Terminal Workstations. The C-Sharp also allows bifocal wearers to keep their necks in natural postures rather than tilted backwards. In general, the C-Sharp has potential to reduce problems associated with VDT use.