| Computers have changed the way we live and | | | | Computers have changed the way we live and |
| communicate. They have moved our focus away | | | | communicate. They have moved our focus away |
| from reading printed documents to reading them on | | | | from reading printed documents to reading them on |
| brightly lit computer screens. | | | | brightly lit computer screens. |
| While computers have brought certain benefits to the | | | | While computers have brought certain benefits to the |
| community and to business, they have also presented | | | | community and to business, they have also presented |
| us with challenges for our health, in particular our eyes. | | | | us with challenges for our health, in particular our eyes. |
| Computers and eye strain | | | | Computers and eye strain |
| Eye strain is not a medical term or diagnosis. However | | | | Eye strain is not a medical term or diagnosis. However |
| it is characterised by pain, discomfort and fatigue in or | | | | it is characterised by pain, discomfort and fatigue in or |
| around the eyes. Headaches, blurred vision and | | | | around the eyes. Headaches, blurred vision and |
| dryness may also occur. | | | | dryness may also occur. |
| In fact, according to the RACGP Complete Home | | | | In fact, according to the RACGP Complete Home |
| Medical Guide (Dorling Kindersley) ‘aching and | | | | Medical Guide (Dorling Kindersley) ‘aching and |
| discomfort are commonly attributed to eye strain … | | | | discomfort are commonly attributed to eye strain … |
| but are often headaches caused by tension or | | | | but are often headaches caused by tension or |
| tiredness of the muscles around the eyes'. | | | | tiredness of the muscles around the eyes'. |
| Avoiding eye strain | | | | Avoiding eye strain |
| • Ergonomics | | | | • Ergonomics |
| Working at computers requires concentration and the | | | | Working at computers requires concentration and the |
| need to focus on brightly lit screens. If the screen is | | | | need to focus on brightly lit screens. If the screen is |
| either too high or too low, muscle strain can occur as | | | | either too high or too low, muscle strain can occur as |
| the eyes strain to look up or down for extended | | | | the eyes strain to look up or down for extended |
| periods. It is therefore important to ensure that the | | | | periods. It is therefore important to ensure that the |
| screen is correctly aligned at eye level. Exceptions | | | | screen is correctly aligned at eye level. Exceptions |
| may apply to people with multi-focal or bi-focal glasses. | | | | may apply to people with multi-focal or bi-focal glasses. |
| In these cases, the screen may need to be in a lower | | | | In these cases, the screen may need to be in a lower |
| position. | | | | position. |
| • Avoid dryness | | | | • Avoid dryness |
| Lubrication is important for healthy eyes. Long periods | | | | Lubrication is important for healthy eyes. Long periods |
| of focussing on a computer screen can interfere with | | | | of focussing on a computer screen can interfere with |
| the eyes' natural defence of blinking. Ensure that you | | | | the eyes' natural defence of blinking. Ensure that you |
| blink as often as you normally would and take regular | | | | blink as often as you normally would and take regular |
| breaks. Blinking helps to stimulate tear flow, however in | | | | breaks. Blinking helps to stimulate tear flow, however in |
| some cases artificial tears may be necessary. | | | | some cases artificial tears may be necessary. |
| Remember that air-conditioned work places can also | | | | Remember that air-conditioned work places can also |
| cause dry eyes. | | | | cause dry eyes. |
| • Glare | | | | • Glare |
| Reducing glare is an important aspect of managing | | | | Reducing glare is an important aspect of managing |
| eye strain. Ensure that overhead lighting does not hit | | | | eye strain. Ensure that overhead lighting does not hit |
| your computer screen or reflects light from nearby | | | | your computer screen or reflects light from nearby |
| windows. For brightly lit rooms, investigate the use of | | | | windows. For brightly lit rooms, investigate the use of |
| Daylights which help to reduce glare. | | | | Daylights which help to reduce glare. |
| An underlying problem? | | | | An underlying problem? |
| Eye problems can sometimes be the result of an | | | | Eye problems can sometimes be the result of an |
| underlying visual problem such as long-sightedness or | | | | underlying visual problem such as long-sightedness or |
| astigmatism. Consult your doctor if you experience | | | | astigmatism. Consult your doctor if you experience |
| continuing symptoms of eye strain. | | | | continuing symptoms of eye strain. |