LET'S REVISIT COMPUTERS
Nary a day goes by without a patient complaining that his/her computer is "ruining" his/her eyes! Ruin may not be entirely accurate but I do get the message. Computers are so prevalent in the workplace today that it is rare to find anyone without some exposure to a VDT (Video Display Terminal) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). Whether your exposure is on the job or even at home, there are some well-documented "comfort guidelines" that will make your computer experience more enjoyable and less "ruinous."
I must admit to my own computer "nerdness" as I have been toying AND working on them for nearly twenty years now. I have personally experienced many of the symptoms that my patients complain about and can relate to their discomfort. My consultation will include glare, monitor positioning, posture, frequent breaks, and proper vision correction.
I discussed glare in depth in a previous column, but here are the pearls: Avoid any light source that directly reflects off your screen, e.g., windows, lamps, other CRT's, or TV's. Watch for INDIRECT sources of glare which actually may come from overhead lights. This glare will not be seen on the screen but rather "felt in the eyes." If you cover your eyes (like you might do in the bright sunlight) or try a wide-brimmed hat on (while no one is watching) and notice an immediate RELIEF in your eyes, your problem is overhead glare. Remove a few fluorescent bulbs or put a rheostat on the switch in order to dim the offending light source.
NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) recommends taking a 15 minute alternate task break every two hours if you are a moderate VDT user, and a 15 minute alternate task break every hour if you are a full-time user. Contrary to what you might think, these breaks result in MORE productivity, not less.
Your posture and proper monitor positioning are really one in the same. If your monitor is positioned correctly, your posture will follow suit. Assuming you have a good chair with ample back support, place your monitor BELOW eye level. This may be the most important aspect of work-station ergonomics. The tendency to mount the VDT on top of the system unit ultimately results in a monitor that sits too high. For one thing, it is unnatural for the eyes to "read" for long periods of time looking straight ahead. This affects your blink rate (which can affect your tear production and result in dry, gritty eyes) as well as make it virtually impossible for bifocal wearers to clearly see the screen without exposing their nostrils (not to mention a sore neck at the end of the day). The no-line bifocals will help to reduce the amount of head tilt required but it is crucial to get that monitor lowered! A great solution for regular bifocal wearers is the rarely seen computer desk with a hole in it. The hole is angled to the front of the desk and holds your monitor. Now you have a system where the screen is clearly visible, even for bifocal wearers, and one that allows for a more natural "lowered" reading position.
Perfect worlds aside, there are some eyeglass remedies that may help if you can't get the boss to cut a big hole in your desk. Single vision glasses would allow a clear range of vision from 20-30 inches without a head tilt. (By the way, your screen should NOT be closer than 20 inches) There are also tints and ant-reflective coatings that may be applied to your lenses in order to reduce glare.
And don't forget to visit your eye doctor periodically. There may be a simple cause, such as farsightedness or astigmatism, that is leading to your fatigue. Computers won't "ruin" your eyes, but following a few rules of proper use will certainly ease your strain and give those peepers a break.