Computers & Vision

Many people who spend their workdays in front of terminals suffer from eyestrain. Symptoms include visual fatigue, headache, and irritated, red or burning eyes. Ergonomic factors such as posture, screen position, type of keyboard, and monitor glare all play a part in visual and physical comfort when working at a computer. Prolonged viewing of the visual display terminal at close range creates strain on the accommodative (focus) and convergence (eye turning) mechanisms of the eyes.

If you routinely spend one or more hours per day on a computer, you should have your eyes checked annually. Here are some pointers to reduce computer eyestrain:

• Often, undetected subtle vision problems contribute to vision stress that show up with computer use. Your Optometrist will assess the vision, focus, and eye muscle system to determine if any problems exist. Your eye health is also assessed for problems such as dry eye.

• If you already have corrective lenses, you may need a special prescription for work at a terminal. For example, ordinary reading glasses may require you to sit too close to the screen. Lined bifocal lenses may require too much head tilt. And, standard progressive multifocal lenses may have a restricted width, or field of vision, in the medium-distance range. Specialty lenses that are designed for your specific office visual needs are available for computer users. Your Optometrist can recommend a prescription and lens design that work best together for your computer and near vision needs.

• Make sure there is no reflected glare on your screen from windows or light fixtures. Anti-glare/ tinted shields are available if the glare is not easily controlled. Your eyeglasses should also have an anti-reflection coating. Keep your screen contrast at a medium, comfortable level and avoid extreme color differences.

• If you routinely refer to written material while using the computer, keep the reference document at the same level as the computer screen and the same distance from your eyes. Ensure that light is evenly distributed on your written work and the computer screen.

• Angle your screen 10 to 20 degrees below the straight-ahead eye position. This helps to maintain a better neck posture, and make it easier to blink properly. Remember to blink completely- slowly and relaxed- every 3 to 4 seconds.

• Individuals doing repetitive data entry tasks have a higher incidence of blurred or double vision. Take frequent breaks- a minimum of 5 minutes per hour. Look away from the screen frequently but momentarily to rest your eyes.

20/20/20 RULE: Taking a short break every 20 minutes while doing prolonged computer use promotes 20/20 (perfect) vision. Try to look at something far away (eg. 20 feet away) for at least 20 seconds, allowing your eyes to relax from their strenuous near tasks, and blink slowly and completely.