Steps to prevent eye strain
IF you are spending hours in front of a computer, and have sore, dry eyes and even headaches, you may be suffering from eye strain. The key to the problem is to work with your environment.
Where to put your monitor
When you look around, faraway objects tend to be in the upper part of your visual field and closer objects are in the lower part of your visual field.
Our eyes are built to take advantage of that – which is why in difficult light, you automatically hold books down and at arms length from your body, with the top of the book furthest away. This is something you should take into account.
Experts recommend that your eyes should be at least 25 inches (63.5cm) away from your computer, and that the top of the monitor should be tilted back a little.
Also make sure that you are seated comfortably, with your back and straight and your arms, hands and wrists properly supported. Comfort is essential for preventing stress!
Lighting tips
Over the course of a day, the quality of light in the room will change. The movement of the sun creates a continually changing pattern of shadow and light. You will have to move with the sun or use curtains and lights to ensure an even light.
Think about text
Avoid straining your eyes to read text that is too small. Increase the font size to a level you find comfortable. Bright colours are excellent for highlighting but too much contrast and brightness can cause eye strain. When possible, opt for a black or dark grey background with white or cream text.
If you must work with a lot of high-energy documents, take more frequent rests of five minutes for every hour. Finally, make sure that you go for your regular eye check-up once a year.