Is your computer getting you down?

Computer eyestrain, technically known as computer fatigue syndrome, is becoming epidemic

by Dr. Michael Geiger — 

If you are one of many people who have complained of tired, itchy, burning or red eyes, blurriness, headaches, fatigue, or tightness in the neck and shoulder muscles, it could be because of your computer. Some heavy computer users even develop nearsightedness and a need to change eyeglass prescriptions yearly.

Computer eyestrain, technically known as computer fatigue syndrome, is becoming epidemic, but there are techniques to reduce the effects on our eyes from hours of staring at computer screens.

The following tips can help computer users reduce eyestrain:

• Blink often, and periodically focus on an object 20 feet from the computer screen.
• Place the monitor below or at eye level. If your computer sits on a fixed desk, you can raise your chair to accomplish this.
• Avoid placing your monitor in front of a window because of the glare.
• Light your work station from above, and never have a lamp on the desk.
• Purchase a tinted, glare-free glass to hang in front of the screen, if using tube-style monitors.
• Use flat-screen monitors, if possible.
• Keep reading materials and the screen at the same distance to maintain a similar focus (about 21 inches).

Dr. Michael Geiger is the author of Rx for Computer Eyes. www.longlifecatalogs.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 26, Number 1, February/March 2007.