Computer glasses reimbursement regulations

Computer Glasses Reimbursement Regulations Radboud University Nijmegen

Having regard to Article 3 of the Dutch Working Conditions Act and Article 5.11 of the Working Conditions Decree, the employer has adopted the following regulations.

Article 1 Computer glasses

Computer glasses are special-purpose glasses for optimising a person’s eyesight when looking at a visual display unit (VDU), being a means of eye correction as referred to in Article 5.11, fourth paragraph, of the Working Conditions Decree.

Article 2 Conditions

The employee is eligible for reimbursement of the purchase costs of computer glasses if:

• he/she works on a VDU for more than two hours a day; and
• measures to optimise the workstation situation (e.g. finding the right distance between the eyes and monitor, preventing disturbing light reflections, etc.) have not remedied the complaints; and
• an examination of the eyes and sight show that normal means of eye correction cannot be used and computer glasses are required to work on a VDU.

Article 3 Procedure

1. The employee applies for eye examination by an expert such as an optician (a qualified member of the Dutch Association of Opticians), an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
2. If the results of this eye examination show that the employee requires computer glasses, the expert concerned should state the recommended type of computer glasses on the Computer Glasses Order Form.
3. The Computer Glasses Reimbursement Claim Form should be filled in and signed by the employee and his/her supervisor. The completed Computer Glasses Order Form and the optician’s itemised bill must be attached to the Computer Glasses Reimbursement Claim Form, as well as a payment receipt
4. When the employee has handed in the documents mentioned in paragraph 3 to the personnel department, the purchase costs of the computer glasses will be reimbursed.

Article 4 Amount reimbursed

The maximum reimbursement for computer glasses is inclusive of frame, glass and VAT:

Article 5 Claim frequency

1. The employee can claim computer glasses reimbursement once every four years.
2. The employee is not entitled to reimbursement for damage to or loss of his/her computer glasses.
3. If the employee develops eye complaints within the four-year period, he/she will first need to contact the occupational health officer. If necessary, the occupational health officer will then refer the employee for further eye examination. The procedure mentioned in Article 3 will then need to be followed. The maximum amounts reimbursed are those specified in Article 4.

Article 6 Effect

These Computer Glasses Reimbursement Regulations of Radboud University Nijmegen come into effect on 8 February 2013. The Computer Glasses Policy (Gedragslijn Beeldschermbrillen) will be revoked as of that same date.

Explanatory notes

These regulations have been adopted on the basis of Article 5.11 of the Working Conditions Decree (Arbeidsomstandighedenbesluit). According to this Decree, the employer is obliged to give employees who, on average, work on VDUs for two or more hours a day the opportunity to have their eyes examined. Moreover, the employer must, if necessary, provide them with glasses specifically designed for working on visual display units (VDUs). Pursuant to Article 44 of the Working Conditions Act (Arbeidsomstandighedenwet), the costs of the eye examination and the purchasing costs of the computer glasses are to be borne by the employer and not by the employee.

The accommodative ability of the eyes decreases with age, and this makes it increasingly difficult to see things clearly at close range. This problem usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 45. Reading glasses will then be required (reading distance +/- 35 cm). After some time, you may feel the need for special glasses for the working distance on VDUs, commonly known as computer glasses (reading distance +/- 60 cm).

Computer glasses are specifically designed for working on VDUs and are less suited for general use. Which type of lenses you need depends on the eye activities the work involves.

1. Monofocal computer glasses are primarily for intensive VDU work and offer a wide and unimpeded field of vision.
2. Monofocal computer glasses with extended focus range have a focus range from 40 to 90 cm and are particularly suited for VDU work and work at arm’s length.
3. Bifocal computer glasses have a segment that can be used for viewing computer screens and another segment for reading texts on paper.
4. Multifocal DataComfort computer glasses can be used for reading text on paper and viewing computer screens as well as for distance vision.

Not everyone whose eyes have weaker accommodative ability require special computer glasses. This may be because:

• they are slightly nearsighted, and take off their glasses during VDU work;
• they prefer general-purpose glasses so that they do not have to switch glasses all the time.

Normal glasses for general eye correction are not covered by the Working Conditions Decree and are NOT eligible for reimbursement.

The regulations stipulate that employees may have their eyes examined by an expert. Referral by the Department of Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Service (AMD) is not required for this. Employees may claim computer glasses reimbursement once every four years. If an employee develops eye complaints within the four-year period, he/she does have to consult the Department of Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Service or occupational health officer first in order to be able to claim reimbursement for new computer glasses.