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Protecting eyes from computer screen
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Vision / eye strain
Computer and Health
Visual problems, such as eyestrain and irritation, are among the most frequently reported complaints by computer operators. These visual symptoms can result from improper lighting, glare from the screen, poor positioning of the screen itself, or copy material that is difficult to read. These problems usually can be corrected by adjusting the physical and environmental setting where the computer users work. For example, work stations and lighting can and should be arranged to avoid direct and reflected glare anywhere in the field of sight, from the display screen, or surrounding surfaces.
You also can reduce eyestrain by taking vision breaks, which may include exercises to relax eye muscles after each hour or so of operating a computer. Changing focus is another way to give eye muscles a chance to relax. You only need to glance across the room, or out the window, from time to time and look at an object at least 20 feet away. Other eye exercises may include rolling or blinking the eyes, or closing them tightly for a few seconds.
Inadequate vision can strain your posture as well as eyes -- have your eyes checked annually, you may need special glasses
This section provides links to information and resources regarding vision and eye strain issues while working at Video Display Terminals (VDTs).
Articles
Improving Visual Comfort at a Computer Workstation by Dr. Jeffrey R. Anshel, BS, OD
Visual discomfort occurs at a computer workstation when the visual demands of your task exceed your visual abilities. The problem can be resolved by treating your visual condition, if any, or by making your visual task less demanding.
Vision Health Management: Visual Ergonomics in the Workplace, Dr. Jeffrey R. Anshel, BS, OD
Vision is our most precious sense. Our eyes are in constant use every waking minute of every day. The way we use our eyes can determine how well we work throughout our lifetime. Over 80% of our learning is mediated through our eyes, indicating the important role our vision plays in our daily activities. Vision disturbance is a silent enemy that only appears after a long period of continued stress.
Kids and Computers: Eyes and Visual Systems, Dr. Jeffrey R. Anshel, BS, OD
Today, millions of children are using computers every day, at school and at home, for education and recreation. Visual demands in school require the integration of a number of different vision skills: visual acuity (sharpness of vision); visual fixation (eye aiming); accommodation (focusing); binocular fusion (forming a single image); convergence (turning of the eyes); field of vision (side vision); and form perception (recognizing shapes). These systems can be stressed and overworked if not used efficiently. Computer viewing is complicating how children use their eyes in school because these visual skills are not yet fully developed in children?making any near-point activities that much more difficult.
Vision, Reading and Computer Users
An Interview with Distinguished Optometrist, Dr. Gary J. Williams: webword.com (williams)
Websites
The Role of ergonomics in preventing work related musculoskeletal disorders
Ergonomics at work or school: parklanemattress.com (work-or-school)
The Relationship of Computer Vision Syndrome to Musculoskeletal Disorders
American Optometric Association:
Eyestrain Basics: office-ergo.com (12things1)
IBM's Healthy Computing - Vision: pc.ibm.com (ergoviso)
Computers and Eyestrain by E. Lawrence Bickford, O.D.: west.net (computers-and-eyestrain)
Causes, symptoms and treatments for computer-related eye strain.
Reducing Eyestrain from Video and Computer Monitors by Charles A. Poynton:
Preventative Measures Ease Computer Eye Strain and Other Health Problems:
Computers and Eye Strain
American Academy of Ophthalmology - eyeNET
Computer Vision Syndrome:
Articles by Dr. Jeffrey Anshel
PC Magazine Online: Your Eyes Come First:
Jim Seymour's article about eyestrain and the PRIO eye test.
Computerized Home Vision Therapy Systems: homevisiontherapy.com
Treatment for eye strain, computer vision syndrome, and children's learning problems
Eye2Eye: The Computer Eyestrain Journal: eye2eye.com
Eye2Eye's mission is to help control vision difficulties associated with prolonged exposure to computer screens. Collectively, these symptoms have been termed Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) by the American Optometric Association.
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Health & Safety
Because there are so many children of varying ages and sizes in a before
and after school care program, it is essential to pay attention to health
and safety issues. Children need to be taught simple safety principles from
the time they begin using computers. Don't overlook the obvious when children
use computers. For children as well as adults, bad posture can cause sore wrists, eye fatigue, headaches, neck strain and even back pain. Since kids may be using computers both at home and at school, there is the potential for problems to develop over time.
To prevent eye problems, avoid flickering lights or glare on the screen, and look away from the monitor frequently. (This is true for video games also.) Get up and walk around (moving around rests both the eyes and the body), focus on a distant object, remember not to stare at the screen, and blink often.
Furniture that is used should be safe and adjustable so it fits each child. If you can't find sturdy, adjustable furniture, have some available that fits the different sizes of the children using it. Because many sizes and shapes of children will probably be using a computer area that has been set up for one "size" of students, careful monitoring of the physical set up should occur when each new student sits down. Make the appropriate adjustments for each child according to the guidelines listed below.
FAQs on Myopia
Q. What is myopia?
A. Myopia is commonly known as "short-sightedness". A person with myopia is able to see close objects clearly but objects that are further away will appear blurred.
When the normal eye looks at an object, light rays from the object enter our eye. These light rays are bent at the cornea and the eye lens before forming an image on the inner layer of the eye called the retina. This image is then transmitted by nerve signals to the brain. The brain interprets these signals so that we see the object.
If the light rays are focused directly on the retina, we see a sharp image. Myopia occurs when the light rays from distant objects are focused in front of the retina instead of on it, resulting in blurred images on the retina. This is usually because the eyeball is too long or sometimes the cornea and lens do not bend the light rays properly.
Q. What are the complications of myopia?
A. Undetected myopia before the age of 6 years old can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) and eventually blindness in the affected eye.
Severe myopia can lead to potentially blinding conditions such as _ retinal detachment (a condition when the retina separates from the eyeball)
Your health - Headaches and eye strain
What are headaches and eyestrain?
Headaches can be caused by many different factors and are one of the most common reasons people visit their GP. Most headaches are not serious and usually disappear on their own. They can be relieved by mild painkillers, or a positive change in lifestyle.
Eyestrain is also a common complaint among people doing 'close' work e.g. those who work using computer monitors. Eyestrain can be a trigger for headaches, but can usually be avoided by following simple guidelines.
What are the signs of headache or eyestrain?
A headache can range from a mild, throbbing feeling to a sharp, stabbing pain. Headaches can affect your whole head or just a part of it. The pain may move around, affect your vision or even cause nausea and vomiting. The two most common types of headache are tension headaches and migraine.
Tension headaches do not usually last for a long time. Common symptoms of a tension headache include
Eye Discomfort in the Office
What is the significance of "good" lighting? Office work is visually demanding and has always required good lighting for maximum comfort and productivity. "Good" lighting means providing enough illumination so that people can see printed, handwritten or displayed documents clearly but are not blinded by excessively high light levels (a cause of glare). The introduction of computers in the 1970's increased the visual demands of office work and made lighting design even more challenging. While typewriters were being exchanged for computers, the need for redesigning or rearranging office lighting was commonly overlooked.
What are signs of poor lighting? The most common complaints resulting from poor lighting are: eyestrain, eye irritation, blurred vision, dry burning eyes, and headaches. Poor lighting affects not only the ocular system but can also contribute to stiff necks and aches in shoulder area. These problems can occur when people adopt poor or awkward postures when trying to read something under poor lighting conditions.
