Eliminating

Computer

Eyestrain
Contents
Introduction
Lighting
Workstation Configuration
Vision & Optometry
Introduction
Eyestrain complaints
are typically reported
by three of four
people who use
computers for
extended periods.
One researcher has
estimated that each
year about 10 million
people seek eye
exams for computer-
related eyestrain.
Trends indicate
that people are
spending more
time using
computers at
home and at work.
Additionally, due
to baby-boomer
demographics,
more age-related
eyestrain can be
anticipated.
There is no evidence to
suggest computer use will
damage eyesight.
However, as with any type of
close work, nearsightedness
may develop faster than it
typically would if close work is
limited.
Close work can also induce
temporary nearsightedness
which could impact tasks such
as driving.
Finally, eyestrain can lead to
discomfort and reduced
productivity.
People working at computers
for extended periods may
experience:
• Vision impairment (e.g.,
temporary blurred distance
vision)
• Headache
• Ocular discomfort such as
sore or dry eyes
• Musculoskeletal problems
(e.g., neck and back pain)
induced when poor postures
are assumed to compensate
for visual deficits or poor
visual ergonomics
People often experience vision
deficits that become more
pronounced with demanding
visual tasks. Common
problems include:
• Reduced close focusing
related to aging, known as
presbyopia
• Insufficient focusing speed
• Binocular insufficiency (eyes
do not track well together)
• Farsightedness (the ability to
focus well on distant objects
but poorly on close objects)
Many people
experience
eyestrain
because they
need glasses but
do not have
them, or the
glasses they
wear were not
properly
prescribed or
fitted.
Eyestrain
Reduction Tips:
•Close your eyes for several
seconds (preferably when
the boss is away)
•Relax your focusing and
convergence muscles by
looking at distant objects
•Use eye drops, but not those
with red-out agents
•Work on non-computer tasks or take a mini-break at
least every half-hour
People who work at
computers are likely to
experience dry eyes - for
several reasons.
Some people naturally
produce little ocular
lubricating fluid.
Additionally, contact lenses
interfere with the distribution
of this lubricating fluid across
the eye surface.
Dry office air and drafts from
air supply sources may also
increase eye dryness.
Blink rates are another “Relaxed” -
factor leading to 22 per minute
increased eye
dryness.
Studies have
demonstrated that Reading a book -
people tend to blink 10 per minute
less when working at a
computer than during
other activities.
A conscious effort to Reading text on a
blink frequently is computer -
recommended. 7 per minute
Lighting
When estimating appropriate
lighting levels, consider the
task types to be performed
at the computer.
Low ambient light levels may
be acceptable with jobs that
are screen-intensive (e.g.,
desktop publishing).
On the other hand, data
input tasks will likely be
improved with somewhat
higher ambient light levels,
especially if the source
document characters are
small or are of low-contrast.
In general, computerized
offices should have one-
third to one-half of the
ambient light found in
traditional paper-based
offices.
If your office light fixtures
seem too bright, try
removing one or more
lamps (note that some
fixtures do not light with a
lamp removed).
Contact Custodial
Services for assistance.
In addition to
using less light,
the light should
also be uniform
to avoid bright
light directly
striking the eye
or reflecting
from the
computer
screen.
Natural light can
aesthetically
enhance an office,
but it typically
creates poor visual
ergonomics.
If bright sunlight
enters
computerized
offices, blinds or
other light-reducing
window treatments
should be installed.
Interior
designers
occasionally
specify
motorized view-
preserving
shades for
large windows.
The shade
fabric has tiny
holes that allow
occupants to
see outdoors
while
significantly
reducing indoor
light levels.
Computer monitors
should be set at
right angles to
windows and to long
runs of overhead
fixtures.
The orientation
depicted at right
reduces screen
glare and eliminates
bright light directly
striking the eye.
Light fixtures of the
type depicted at
right are often
satisfactory when
located above the
computer monitor.
However, as the
distance from the
monitor increases,
this fixture type may
create screen glare
or direct glare in the
operator’s eyes.
Parabolic
luminaires
(fixtures) focus
light downward.
This reduces both
direct and indirect
(screen) glare
creating a visual
environment well
suited to computer
use.
Parabolic luminaires are
designed to reduce
horizontal light
transmission and thus
eyestrain.
A side effect of this
lighting design is that
walls are dark and some
occupants may find the
space gloomy.
To counter this effect,
designers often add
lighting specifically to
brighten the walls.
Traditional fluorescent and
parabolic luminaires are
considered sources of
direct light.
Pendant luminaires (at
right) are suspended from
the ceiling with the lamps
oriented “up.” This lighting
is termed “indirect” since
the light is reflected off the
ceiling.
From an aesthetic/design
standpoint, the ceiling can
be a bit bright, but the
resulting uniform light is
ideal for computing.
There are several
products on the market
that combine direct and
indirect light in one
luminaire.
The adjacent photo
depicts a luminaire in
which a plastic sleeve
can be rotated to create
direct or indirect light,
allowing occupant
control over the ratio of
direct to indirect light.
If reducing light
levels and changing
monitor orientation
has not sufficiently
reduced screen
glare, an anti-glare
screen may be
warranted.
A quick way to check
for screen glare is to
sit at your computer
with the monitor off.
Glare problems will
become apparent, as
depicted at right.
Anti-glare screens can
dramatically reduce
screen glare, but they
also inherently degrade
screen images (for
example, by reducing
screen brightness).
Generally, the more
expensive units perform
better.
You may wish to select
anti-glare screens that
have been certified by
the American
Optometric Association.
Low light levels are best
for work at computers,
yet we need relatively
high light levels to read
books and papers.
To solve this problem,
it’s best to reduce light
from overhead sources
and add adjustable task
lighting to illuminate
paperwork.
The task light should be
constructed and oriented
to avoid screen glare
and/or direct light into
the eye.
The most common source
of fluorescent light flicker
results from bulbs near the
end of their service life.
This can be verified by
replacing flickering bulbs
with new ones.
In very rare cases, there
can be wiring problems
that induce electrical
surges called harmonics
that cause light fluctuation.
An electrician can verify
this for you.
Visual Arrangement
of the Workstation
Viewing close objects
causes the focusing and
convergence muscles in
the eyes to work harder.
Moving your monitor back
may reduce eyestrain (a
distance of 20” - 26” is
suggested).
Lowering your monitor
may also reduce
computer-related
eyestrain.
Placing your monitor
directly on the desk top is
recommended (not on top
of the computer/CPU).
To reduce
neck strain,
it’s best to
orient the
chair,
keyboard and
monitor in
roughly the
same
direction, as
depicted here.
If you reference
source documents
frequently,
document/monitor
orientation may
influence eyestrain
symptoms.
Documents are
best oriented
horizontally with
respect to the
monitor.
Vertical
orientation is
nearly as good
as horizontal.
“Slant boards”
like the one
shown may
also improve
posture when
document
viewing and
marking is
required.
Oblique
(diagonal)
orientation is
less than
optimal.
Laying
documents
flat on the
desktop may
lead to visual
and musculo-
skeletal
strain.
Monitor Characteristics
Computer
users are
encouraged
to optimize
contrast,
brightness
and other
monitor
settings.
Large computer monitors have
both advantages and
disadvantages.
They are great for applications
like desktop publishing.
The large screen image allows
reduced mousing and scrolling.
This in turn limits screen image
re-targeting.
Potential problems include:
• Reduced viewing distance due
to larger monitor cabinet
• Lower screen resolution
Reading speed may increase or
decrease depending on use
patterns and visual acuity.
Vision & Optometry

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IFYOUCANREAD
T HI S G O O D F O R Y O U
If you are experiencing
computer-related eyestrain and
are considering having your
eyes checked, here are some
things to keep in mind:
• Your eye care provider should
ask for details about your work
and work environment
• If you suffer from computer-
related eyestrain, have your
vision tested at your screen
viewing distance
• Many people have better than
20/20 vision
Our vision tends to deteriorate
naturally with age. Below are
some age-related vision facts:
• Presbyopia (losing the ability
to focus the eyes), starts at
age 10 and is complete by
age 70
• Visual acuity declines with age
• The amount of light needed to
read increases by 2 to 3 times
between the age of 20 and 60
• Glare becomes more
troublesome with age
If your visual status is such that
you are a candidate for
multifocal lenses, consider that:
• Reading bifocals are essentially
incompatible with computer use
• One survey has found that 85%
of patients who try no-line
(progressive addition) lenses
like them, but also found that
some patients feel dizzy or
nauseous when wearing them
• Trifocals are available with a
wider intermediate segment for
computer viewing
• Many eyeglass prescription
options are available
Most experts agree
that lens tints serve
only a cosmetic
function.
If you are concerned
about the color of
light in your
environment, you can
change computer
screen colors and/or
the “color” of office
light bulbs.
Anti-reflective
coatings will reduce
glare on the eyeglass
lens, but do not
reduce screen glare.
EH&S staff are
available to perform
lighting surveys and
computer eyestrain
evaluations for ISU
personnel. Call 294-
5359 for details.
Additional information
on vision and eye care
can be found at the
American Optometric
Association website:
http://www.aoanet.org/
In summary:
• Place your computer monitor
back and low
• Use bright light for paper,
dim light for computers
• When working with
computers and paper
materials simultaneously,
use less overhead light than
found in traditional offices
and add task lighting
• If you experience computer-
related eyestrain, worksite
evaluations and
comprehensive optometric
exams are recommended
finis