Computer Vision Syndrome: How Regular Computer Users Can Avoid This Condition

What's a workplace like without the desktop computer? To answer this question, let's go back to the time when typewriters were the dominant pieces of equipment in most offices. Typists constantly pecked away at keys, returned the carriage every so often, erased and corrected errors now and then, inserted new sheets of paper (with a carbon paper in between two sheets to produce duplicate copies) after every completed page, and continuously filed papers for reference. For those born in the present computer age, this may sound too daunting. It is also quite possible that people who are familiar with that scene (the era of typewriters) would not want to remember that time anymore.

Indeed the desktop computer brought about a radical change in the set-up of workplaces. It substantially shortened the time it takes for one to do and complete a task; work output is increased and deadlines are met. There's a trade-off though. Using personal computers has been pinpointed as the cause of some cases of backache, sore neck, injured wrists, and eyestrain. Optometrists refer to the latter problem as computer vision syndrome.

Spending a long time working in front of a computer screen promotes computer vision syndrome. This condition has the following symptoms: watery and irritated eyes, blurred vision, aching forehead, sensitivity to light, and momentary nearsightedness.

One cause of computer vision syndrome is improper room lighting. A computer screen should be placed in an area where no overhead light or window can create a glare on it. If possible, eliminate glare if it so exists by making the necessary adjustment on the source of light. If total elimination of glare isn't possible, at least reduce it by installing a special cover on the screen (antiglare screen).

The computer screen should be turned as bright as it will go without blurring. Ideally, it should be about three times brighter than the prevailing light around the area. Note that it is much better to use incandescent bulbs than fluorescent lights as they cause less glare. Also, diffuse light is a lot better than direct light.

Proper positioning of the computer screen can help a lot in preventing computer vision syndrome. It should be positioned directly in front of the user at a comfortable height, with its top at about eye level; the angle of viewing should be adjustable. The screen, and any reference material being used, should be kept at a distance of no less than 20 inches (approximately 500 millimeters) from the user's eyes.

The other items in the workplace should also be positioned properly. For example, the computer keyboard and the chair should both be positioned at comfortable heights. For this purpose, it is important that the table height, rather than the chair height, is the one that has to be adjustable.

Optometrists suggest that to avoid having computer vision syndrome, a person - while using a computer - has to blink frequently or use artificial tears every few hours. Every half hour, the computer user has to look at something soothing to the eyes, such as a tree or any green object, 20 meters (6 meters) away. The user also has to take a break for at least 15 minutes after every couple of hours of continuously working in front of a computer screen. [Read the Original Article]

Sources: http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_vision_syndrome