Vision Tips for Heavy Computer Users
Last Updated on Monday, 16 November 2009 15:56
Estimates vary, but some experts say 50% to 90% of computer users experience eyestrain or other symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS).
Recent research revealed that over half of Brits now spend nearly 50 hours a week staring at a computer screen: with over a fifth of people spending over 8 hours a week in front of a screen during their leisure time, according to a survey by the College of Optometrists.
Two in five workers who use computer screens say that they suffer from headaches and over half say that they get tired eyes, with a quarter also admitting that they have ‘difficulty focusing’. One in five workers also say that they suffer from ‘blurred vision’. Eye experts are warning that these conditions could be linked to the increasing amount of time that millions of people all over the country are spending staring at a computer screen.
The alarming statistics reveal that over 9 per cent of people admit to spending more than six hours a day in front of a computer screen on top of time spent ‘working’, with this increasing to over one in ten (14%) of the 18-24 year old age group. At weekends, nearly one in ten (9%) of the population confess to spending over eight hours on the computer, rising to 15% of the younger demographics.
Social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo occupy the leisure time of nearly eight in ten under 24 year olds, while two in five use their computers to play games, and half download music. Nine in ten (93%) of the older age groups use their computers for ‘researching’ and ‘surfing’.
The majority of people of all age groups (64%) are now spending between one and four hours a day on the computer outside of work, and – combined with longer working days that means that the majority of UK workers who use computers spend seven hours in front of them.
Dr Rob Hogan, President of The College of Optometrists, says: “We are reaching a critical point, with more and more people spending an increasing amount of time in front of a computer screen. At work employees should at least be encouraged to take regular breaks from their screen, but with leisure time now also being spent on computers there’s even less chance that people are looking after their eyes properly.
While using a computer can’t permanently damage your eyes, if you don’t take regular breaks and use the correct vision aids for your eyesight, you can strain your eyes, and may experience headaches, blurriness, tired eyes, and focus problems. This can be painful and uncomfortable, as well as making your time both in work and out of work tiring and inefficient.
It’s crucial for everyone, but especially for those using a computer screen for a significant amount of time during the week or weekends, that you take regular breaks and visit your local optometrist regularly who will be able to pinpoint any problems you may have with your eyes.”
The College of Optometrists has top tips to keep your eyes healthy in front of a screen:
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Make sure that if you need spectacles to look at a screen, you wear them!
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Blink regularly. When focusing on a screen your reflexes will slow down, tear production will reduce, and you will blink less, causing dry and uncomfortable eyes.
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Remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eye muscles a break and help increase the rate of blinking.
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Keep the distance of the monitor from your eyes between 16 to 30 inches. Most people find a distance of 20 to 26 inches comfortable.
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Make sure that the top of the monitor is at a level at or slightly below your horizontal eye level.
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Tilt the top of the monitor away from you at a 10- to 20-degree angle. This will enable you to create an optimum viewing angle.
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Keep your screen free of dust and fingerprints.
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Use an adjustable chair that enables you to sit at a proper angle and distance from your computer monitor screen.
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If your work involves prolonged data entry use document holders to secure any reading or reference material. Placing them close to the monitor and at the same distance from your eyes as your monitor, will enable your eyes to remain focused as they look from the monitor to the reading material.
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Use a character size that is visible. The character size is an important factor since it determines the distance at which you prefer to view the monitor.
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Make sure your workstation is set up comfortably; avoid poor posture which can lead to neck, back, arm or other aches.
The study was carried out as part of The College of Optometrist’s research into eye health.
For further information visit www.college-optometrists.org
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written by Community health network, August 12, 2009
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written by Dr Phil Worthington, September 30, 2009
Most of us have deeply ingrained bad posture and working habits. Breaking these requires focus and attention, which is not compatible with focusing on what we're doing with our computers.
After an episode of back pain caused by poor computer posture, I developed award-winning software to help people improve their posture, break their bad habits and treat and prevent back pain, neck pain, eye fatigue and RSI conditions.
Called PostureMinder, it acts daily to promote good posture and healthy working. Visit my website for more details and a 30-day free trial
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