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Home  Feature Articles Good Eyes are the Prize
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Good Eyes are the Prize |
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Friday, 30 June 2006 |
For those of us who use computers every day, eyestrain is a common problem. While it’s not considered to be a serious issue with long-term consequences, it’s unpleasant at the very least.
The symptoms of eyestrain include: sore, tired, burning, itching or dry eyes; blurred or double vision; increased sensitivity to light; difficulty focusing; and a headache or sore neck.
Try these tips to minimize the discomfort.
- Blink often—dryness can aggravate the eyes, especially for contact lens wearers. Use eye drops if necessary.
- Take breaks from the computer—look away from the screen and into the distance for 10 seconds every 10 minutes. Every hour or so, lean back, close your eyes, stretch and walk around your desk. Switch between computer-related and non-computer tasks.
- Get situated—position your monitor 18 to 30 inches from your eyes, with the top of your screen at eye level or a bit below. Place your keyboard directly in front of the monitor, and reading or reference material on a copy stand beside the monitor at the same level, angle and distance.
- Watch out for glare—if possible, place your monitor so bright light sources are off to the side and parallel with your line of sight. You may want to turn off some overhead lights, close the blinds or tilt your monitor downward a bit to reduce glare.
Get the right prescription—if you wear corrective lenses, make sure they’re optimal for computer work. Glasses or contact lenses designed to focus correctly when you’re at the computer may be a worthwhile investment.
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