Glasses for computer work

Computer glasses are a type of work glasses used when working at a computer in order to prevent eye and vision problems. Employees who work at a computer may need an eye examination to determine whether special work glasses are required.

Computer glasses, like other work equipment, belong to the employer. However, employees are usually allowed to take their glasses with them when leaving their position.

To determine the most appropriate interval, consult your optician or the Occupational Health Service. An interval of every two to five years is a general guideline. Younger individuals may manage with longer intervals.

Employers must ensure that employees who usually work at a computer for more than one hour per day are offered an eye examination. Employers are responsible for having procedures in place and for following them up.

Employees are responsible for keeping track of when an eye examination is due, making an appointment with the Occupational Health Service or an optician, and informing their employer of any problems related to computer work.

Regardless of the type of employment or the length of your contract, you are entitled to computer glasses.

No. For eye examinations related to computer glasses, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that employees undergo an eye examination, and the employer therefore decides how the examination is to be carried out.

Lund University has an agreement with the Synsam chain of opticians. You have the right to request an appointment with an optician trained in visual ergonomics.

Yes. An eye examination for work only assesses conditions in the workplace. Its purpose is to determine whether corrective glasses are required for the employee’s specific work situation.

The employer decides how eye examinations are to be arranged, for example whether they take place via the Occupational Health Service or with a contracted optician,.

You should not assume that you can use the same optician for private eye care.

This must be agreed with your employer. Computer glasses are work equipment and formally belong to the employer. Your employer may require that the glasses be left at the workplace at the end of the working day.

If an eye examination shows that an employee needs glasses specifically designed for computer work, the employer must ensure that such glasses are provided.

A price limit cannot be set for lenses, as the cost depends on the type of lenses required for a particular work situation. Factors include the individual´s vision, work tasks, visual demands and the distance to the screen. However, the employer may set a cost limit for frames.

If working conditions require viewing distances between 35 and 200 centimetres, occupational lenses may be necessary.

Yes. If you choose features beyond what is required for your work, you must pay the additional cost yourself. Practical issues may need clarification, such as responsibility for repairs if you have contributed to the cost.

Yes. Occupational lenses may be single-vision, bifocal or varifocal, depending on the visual demands of the work. The eye examination determines what type of lenses are required.

No. Contact lenses are not covered by the agreement. The Swedish Work Environment Authority´s regulations on work with display screen equipment do not apply to contact lenses.

No. If an eye examination shows that computer glasses are required and you employer has provided them, you are obliged to use them when working at a computer.

Refusing to do so prevents the employer from fulfilling their responsibilities under the Work Environment Act. Employers and employees must cooperate to achieve a good work environment.

The eye examination is carried out either by an optician who is physically present at the optician´s shop, or by an optician participating remotely, for example via remote technology.

The employee has the right to request that the eye examination be carried out by an optician who is physically present on site. Appointments can only be booked by telephone, and the employee must clearly state this request when contacting the opticians´s shop.

The following items are not covered by the agreement and must be paid for by the employee:

• Glasses for private use
• Sunglasses
• Glasses subscription plans
• Cleaning products for glasses
• Glasses cases beyond the standard case
• Frames other than those included in the framework agreement
• Additional products, such as blue light filters