Why users of computers should
take care?
A job involving looking at a computer screen
for long periods of time can cause eyestrain and can worsen existing vision
problems or reveal previously undiagnosed problems. Using your eyes intensely
for close vision can lead to the discomfort of headaches, blurred or double
vision, flickering feelings or itching eyes. Productivity may well be affected.
How can a change of spectacles help?
Previously adequate spectacles or contact
lenses may be inadequate for the demands of computer screen use. The loss of near focusing ability caused by
the eyes’ natural ageing may necessitate special spectacles for the distance of
the screen. Far-sighted people may
suddenly find their eyes straining to maintain clear focus at screen
distance. The common problem of
astigmatism may be aggravated, resulting in blurred vision.
Eye Care Essentials for Computer Users
If you spend hours each day working at a
computer screen, you may experience eyestrain, blurred vision, itchy eyes, and
occasional double vision.
However, studies have found no indication that
working on a computer screen causes permanent vision problems. Short-term
problems, such as tired, irritated, or watery eyes, do bother the majority of
people who work at computers, but these problems can usually be corrected by
wearing a special pair of glasses for computer work, adjusting lighting in the
workplace, and altering the position of the computer screen.
Correct vision problems
One of the easiest ways to prevent eye fatigue
and discomfort is to see a vision specialist.
Minor visual problems, such as astigmatism or imbalances
between the eyes, can be corrected by wearing corrective lenses, and you’ll
greatly increase your comfort. If you don’t have to see distant objects clearly
while at the computer, wearing bifocal lenses with the top adjusted for the
computer screen and the bottom adjusted for reading is ideal
If your distance vision must be clear while
working at the computer, bifocal lenses with the upper part adjusted for
distance and a large bottom part adjusted for the computer is recommended. As
an alternative, a progressive lens with a large middle section for computer
work could be used.
Some people can comfortably use bifocal
contact lenses when working at a computer, but in most cases, glasses will
provide greater comfort and clearer vision.
Increase
your comfort
If you spend hours each day working at a
computer screen, you may suffer from eyestrain, blurred vision, itchy eyes, and
occasional double vision.
The following steps can help to reduce your
eye discomfort and fatigue:
- Place the computer straight in front of you, not off to the side.
- Place the screen at right angles to any windows to reduce glare.
- Fix the screen angle to reduce reflections from overhead lights or desk lamps.
- Use drapes, shades, or blinds to control window lighting and glare. Vertical or horizontal blinds will direct light away from you and the computer.
- Keep the screen brightness the same or brighter than the brightness of other objects in the room.
- Set your computer to show black characters on a white background.
- Use a flexible copyholder to keep reference material at the same height and distance away from you as the computer screen. This does away with the need to change eye focus when looking from one to the other.
- Use a filter that reduces glare to enhance screen contrast and increase character legibility. Use a computer hood that has 3 sides if glare continues to be a problem.
- Wipe the screen often with an anti-static cloth.
- Take rest breaks. Every 15 minutes or so, look up and focus on a distant object for about 2 minutes. Blinking frequently and using artificial tear eye drops to relieve dryness and irritation can also help.
Posture and screen position
The posture is very important while using the computer as if it is even slightly uncomfortable, then you can get neck and back pains and even numbness in the hands making your work and lifestyle suffer. This even applies to the level of the screen with the eyes that have an impact on the clear vision from the screen. These elements if not taken care of, tend to make the person suffer for which there must be awareness generated from the moment a person starts learning computers. A major concern is for the eye sight that must not get damaged or altered with the use of the computer.
In jobs these days, one cannot avoid the use of computers for which you must know the most efficient way of doing it. The correct level of the screen from the eyes is a little below the eyes. The screen should be easily an arm length away which gives the optimum distance for reading and viewing from it. The ideal angle should be about twenty degrees below the level of the eyes. All of this ensures that the rays are not directly coming in contact to your eyes in a way in which it may prove to be harmful. There are other aspects such as the background lighting that also affects the vision when using computers. If any one of these aspects are neglected it will lead to the disability in viewing the screen well which will put strain on your eyes. The background light must not fall on the screen and also not be on the back for it to be reflected from the screen to your eyes.
Careful parameters
Other than the screen and the lights there are spectacles that need to be made with anti-glare coating that will prevent the eyes from taking the light that is reflected and received. These glares can be very damaging and hence you must insist on an anti-reflective coating that prevents the eyes from taking in the sheen and gives proper vision. If you keep wearing the anti-glare coated lenses while using the computers then you are surely more protect than using it without them.
Not avoiding the use of computers, exercises, cold tea bags, viewing far to change focal length after twenty minutes, and other such dietary aspects help preventing the eye sight from constant use of the computer.