My Marketing Assistant

Computers are in our homes, at our work, whether they are used as a necessity or for entertainment they are simply everywhere. This is not a bad thing but consistent use of a computer can come with undesired side effects, namely eye strain. I know only too well the pain that can be encountered when your eyes simply need a rest from the strains of looking at a monitor for hours and hours everyday. The eye is like a muscle and like any other type of muscle in the body it needs resting, also when you stare at your monitor you blink less often which can contribute to eye strain. There are a few steps you can take to prevent eye strain:

1. Get your eyes examined by an optician

This might sound extreme but seeing an optician can eradicate any underlying problem you may have with your eye site that contributes to eye strain. I would recommend getting an eye exam at least once a year unless otherwise instructed by your optician. This is after all your eyes we are talking about, it's well worth spending a few quid making sure everything is working as it should.

2. Make sure your computer environment is well illuminated

Reduce the general light levels that surround you and your computer, ambient light can contribute to eye strain if there is a sharp contrast between your monitor and the immediate environment. This may mean closing curtains or blinds, moving lamps or even changing the watt output of your light bulbs.

3. Reduce glare on your monitor

Be sure that there is no glare in any of the surfaces surrounding you and your monitor, also any reflections on your actual monitor need to be eradicated. If you are at work or a place where screen reflections cannot be helped then use a anti-glare screen.

4. Posture and Workplace Ergonomics

Make sure you monitor is at the very least an arms length away, if you can touch your monitor with flat of your palm whilst holding your arm out then maybe your sitting to close to it. Also be sure not to slouch when working at your computer, as well as being bad for your back it also means your eyes are much closer to your monitor than they should be. I'd also recommend for the top of your monitor to be near enough eye level when you are sitting up straight.

5. Your monitor

If you are still using an old tube-style (Cathode Ray Tube or CRT) then your probably best throwing it out and getting an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Not only do they use up less room than the former but they usually have anti-glare surfaces. If however you still are using a CRT monitor, make sure the refresh rate is not less than 75 herts (Hz). Make sure that brightness levels of your monitor is best suited to your environment, my tip would be to get the google page up as there is a lot of whitespace there where you can test and adjust your settings.

6. Take regular breaks

Taking regular breaks is the best thing in my opinion to prevent eye strain, I would recommend taking a 10 minute break for every hour spent at your computer. When your at your break try to spend some time looking at something far away, maybe the other end of the office or something outside your window.

Remember eye strain is very common and I wouldn't get too worried if and when it comes along. Bloodshot eyes and headaches are symptoms of eye strain and can be very alarming to some, if in doubt always go and see a doctor.