Your computer, your tablet, your smart phone: all helpful devices, but when used for long periods of time, they can expose you to eyestrain. Or worse, you could develop something called “Computer Vision Syndrome,” which the American Optometric Association defines as a group of eye and vision-related problems with symptoms including headaches, blurred vision and neck/shoulder pain that result from prolonged computer use.
As part of March’s Workplace Eye Wellness Month, Prevent Blindness America offers five tips to help office workers avoid these health hazards and maintain healthy vision:
- Place your computer screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and a little bit below eye level.
- Use a document holder placed next to your computer screen. It should be close enough so you don’t have to swing your head back and forth or constantly change your eye focus.
- Change your lighting to lower glare and harsh reflections. Glare filters over your computer screen can also help.
- Use an adjustable chair.
- Choose screens that can tilt and swivel. An adjustable keyboard also can be helpful.
“We want to help to remind employees and employers of the benefits of taking care of our eyesight,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “By keeping our eyes healthy, we can become more productive and save on health care costs!”
Prevent Blindness America is the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety group.