Background: Computer use within offices has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. When the Australian Standard
AS3590 was published in 1990, computers were typically positioned at a designated workstation and used by a single
individual. Today, office workers often use both fixed and portable devices. Work is not restricted to business premises
but also performed at home and in transit. Accordingly, the 1990 standard may not be appropriate for the 2014 office.
Aims: This paper describes the visual demands of commonly used computer devices, reviews the visual ergonomics content
of six international guidance documents for computerised offices and discusses those elements which can be applied to
emerging technology. Method: The visual ergonomics recommendations within the six documents were categorised as
prescriptive, informative or generic. Their content was mapped to the visual demands of four types of devices, namely desktop,
laptop and tablet computers and smartphones. Results: The visual factors most commonly addressed were gaze angle, task
detail, colour and contrast. Recommendations for these factors were commonly prescriptive. Advice for lighting and glare
was more commonly generic or informative. AS3590.1 was the most prescriptive document while ISO9241-303 and ANSI/
HFES 100-207 had a high proportion of prescriptive guidance. EU90/270/EEC contained entirely generic advice. ISO9241-
303 addresses new technology such as handheld devices. Conclusions: Visual ergonomics recommendations are important
for modern offices. They should have informative and prescriptive elements so they can be applied to contemporary
workplaces. Future standards need to be relevant to current technology while attempting to anticipate future developments