Ergonomics and lighting.
The two main principles of ergonomics can be said to 'fit the job to the man', or 'fit the man to the job'. To a high extent this is really valid for lighting ergonomics. If an employee complains that he (or she) cannot see properly what he is doing in his work it could be adjusted either by improving the job itself or by improving the visual capacity of the person in question (eg, prescribing correct work glasses). If improving measures are not taken local eye discomfort may develop with symptoms as fatigue, ache, pain, burning, pulling, tearing, etc. These symptoms make up a syndrome called asthenopia, otherwise succinctly known as eye strain. The causes of the syndrome can be myriad - but all fall in under the headings 'bad' lighting, 'bad' eyes and 'bad' work.
Knave
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Department of Occupational Neuromedicine, National Board of Occupational Safety and Health, S-171 84 Solna, Sweden.