Computer eye strain

Many people suffer from computer related eye strain. The good news is that there are some easy steps you can take to minimise the problem.

Have an eye health check

See an optometrist to make sure your eyes are healthy.

Wear appropriate spectacles

Computer screens are farther away than a comfortable reading distance. You may need dedicated computer glasses to see the screen clearly.

Minimise glare

Turn off your screen and look for reflections coming off the surface. Try to move your screen or bright light sources behind you to minimise reflections.

Update your screen

LCD screens flicker less and reflect less light.

Use a larger screen

Chose a display that is at least 19 inches.

Lower your screen

Keep the top of the screen at or below eye level. Looking downward is more relaxing and makes it easer to see through the lower part of bifocal lenses.

Keep screen clean

Dust and fingerprints reduce contrast and can be a source of glare and reflections.

Adjust screen brightness

Try to adjust the brightness so that it is about the same as the surrounding surfaces. As a test try looking at a very white web page. If it looks bright and glary reduce the brightness.

Increase text size

Screen text size should be three times the smallest text size you can read from your normal viewing position. Adjust text size in your computer's display control panel.

Adjust your work station

Place any written material on a stand close to the screen and make sure the hard copy is well lit. 

Blink

Computer users blink less frequently. This leads to drying of the surface of the eye. You cannot learn to blink more frequently but you can pause every 15 minutes and close your eyes for a few seconds.

Take a break

Use the "20-20-20" rule. Every twenty minutes gaze at an object twenty feet away for twenty seconds.