Save Your Vision Month: Healthy Vision at the Computer

People who sit in front of a computer for long periods of time often encounter a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Headaches, neck strain, backaches and wrist pain are common, but, sadly, the most prevalent symptoms of prolonged computer use-eye strain, blurred vision and dry eye-are often overlooked. In fact, eye and vision problems are the most frequently reported health care problems among computer users.

Computer Vision Syndrome

These symptoms contribute to computer vision syndrome, which the American Optometric Association defines as “the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work that are experienced during or related to computer use.”

Sitting at a computer generally causes a person to look straight ahead for long stretches, work in a dry office or home environment, and to blink less often. These factors can lead to vision problems. Additionally, computer use requires specific vision skills, which add further demands to the visual system and contribute to eye and vision discomfort. These skills include:

Ocular motility — the ability of the eyes to move in various positions.

Accommodation — the ability of the eyes to focus clearly at various distances.

Vergence — The ability to move the eyes in (convergence) or out (divergence).

Computer work places various demands on the visual system. Each of these factors can play a part in computer vision syndrome.

Screen resolution — Better resolution offers greater clarity and usually leads to improved comfort. Adjust the resolution to the highest resolution your monitor will support. If the increased screen resolution makes items too small, try increasing the font size (DPI) to compensate.

Screen contrast — Adjust the contrast between the characters on the monitor and the background so the letters are easily read. Adjust the brightness of the monitor to an intensity that is comfortable to your eyes–not too bright and not too dim. Adjust both brightness and contrast for the best clarity.

Screen glare and reflections — Minimize reflected glare on your monitor by using window treatments, dimmer switches on lights and glare reduction filters. Look for glare reduction filters that have received the American Optometric Association Seal of Acceptance. Proper adjustment should eliminate any reflected images from the monitor screen. To reduce glare, eliminate bright light sources from your peripheral vision and position your monitor perpendicular to windows or other bright light sources.

Image refresh rates and flicker — A higher refresh rate for your monitor is best. The image on the screen should not flicker at all. (This is not a concern with LCDs.)

Working distances and angles — It is important to work at a distance that is comfortable for you and where the image on the screen is clear. Having to move your head to an awkward angle to see the screen clearly suggests that your prescription may need adjustment.

General eyeglass prescription may not be adequate — Computers are usually further and higher than a typical reading task. Glasses for most people wearing bifocals are not adjusted for this new distance or angle and therefore often are not adequate for using the computer.

Repetitive and stressful tasks — Difficult tasks are challenging. Don’t forget to take occasional breaks and let the eyes look far away while resting.

While decreasing time spent at a computer may not be an option, there are ways to maximize healthy vision for comfortable use of the computer.

Have a regular comprehensive eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy and that you have the correct eyeglass or contact lens prescription (if necessary). Be certain to tell your optometrist about the computer work you do.

Wear glasses that are specifically designed to function comfortably at the computer. The lenses you wear for day-to-day activities may not be the best for working at the computer.

• Rest the eyes
• Blink forcefully
• Use a humidifier
• Instill artificial tears

After you have had a comprehensive eye examination, there are a number of things that you can do to arrange and use the elements of your workstation to eliminate or minimize discomfort.

Is Your Work Station Properly Arranged?

       Feet should be flat on the floor (or on a slightly angled foot rest) with knees bent close to or greater than 90 degrees.

Chair seat should support the legs without excessive pressure on the back of the thighs.

The back should be snug against the seat to fit your spinal contour. Thigh-to-trunk angle should be 90 degrees or greater.

Wrists and hands should extend nearly straight from the elbow to the home row of the keyboard.

A commonly preferred work surface height for keyboard use is about 26″ as opposed to the conventional 29″ of most tables or desks.

Place the monitor 20″-26″ from your eyes, depending on the size of the monitor and individual vision conditions.

The monitor and keyboard should be straight ahead.

The top of the monitor should be slightly below horizontal eye level. Tilt the top of the monitor away from you at a 10 degree to 20 degree angle. The center of the monitor should be 10 degrees to 20 degrees below your eyes. This is 4?-9? below your eyes at a distance of 24″

Keep the monitor free of fingerprints and dust. Both can reduce clarity.

Place document holders close to the screen within the same viewing distance. Keep the keyboard and monitor in line.

Adjust the keyboard tilt angle so that wrists are straight.

Although the visual system faces considerable challenges when using a computer, most issues can be solved. Remember that problems with the use of the computer cause needless discomfort and may rob productivity. Heeding the suggestions made here along with those made by your doctor of optometry, will enable you to use your computer comfortably and productively.

This article is from the website of the American Optometric Association, Save Your Vision Month: Healthy Vision at the Computer, http://www.aoa.org/x4670.xml.

Eight Ways to Protect Your Eyesight

Protecting your eyesight is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your quality of life. These eight tips will help you safeguard your precious gift of sight:

1. Know your risk for eye problems. Do you or any of your family suffer from diabetes or have a history of high blood pressure? Are you obese or a smoker? These traits increase your risk for sight-threatening eye diseases.

2. Monitor your vision. Trouble signs to look for include hazy vision, reduced color vision, and glare or difficulty seeing clearly when driving at night. These symptoms could indicate the beginning of cataracts.

3. Exercise frequently. Studies suggest that regular exercise such as walking can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by up to 70 percent.

4. Protect your eyes from UV. Wear sunglasses outdoors to shield your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. This may help reduce your risk of cataracts and other eye damage.

5. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. A diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables can lower your risk of age-related eye diseases like macular degeneration. Also, consider supplementing your diet with eye vitamins to make sure you are getting all the nutrients you need to keep your eyes healthy.

6. Don’t smoke. Smokers are at greater risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

7. Wear safety eyewear. A must when playing sports or working with tools around the house!! Most sight-threatening eye injuries can be prevented with the proper eyewear.

8. Have routine eye exams. Along with a healthy lifestyle, having a comprehensive eye exam annually is the best way to keep your eyes healthy for a lifetime of good vision.

To schedule your annual eye exam, click the button below or call (850) 479.7379.

October is World Blindness Awareness Month

Did you know that nearly 180 million people in the world suffer from blindness or visual impairment*?

In observance of World Blindness Awareness Month in October, Sight & Sun Eyeworks of Pensacola wants to remind everyone that unnecessary vision loss could largely be prevented if patients had access to sight-saving information and resources. Also, October 11th is World Sight Day, a health observation that is recognized by health organizations around the globe.

In honor of World Blindness Awareness Month taking place in October, SSEW encourages everyone to become more empowered about their eye health by browsing our vast collection of eye problem & eye health self educational videos. These high quality videos cover a wide range of eye issues that can occur (symptoms and treatments), as well as plethora of information to help you learn and prevent certain issues.

According to a 2005 study by Neilson/Net Ratings, a global leader in media and market research, the internet is considered the most trusted source for health information after physicians.  As the number of Americans seeking health care information on the Internet grows, SSEW plans to match that trend by providing website visitors centralized vision care information, written in language that is clear and easy for them to understand.

Contained within our site, you will learn more about the leading causes of blindness such as cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration, learn about any one of our 12 doctors on staff and even share important health topics with family and friends through our convenient social media buttons – Facebook, Twitter, E-Mail and others.

*According to the World Health Organization.

Sunglasses for Kids

Most kids spend significantly more time outdoors than adults do. In fact, some experts say we get most of our lifetime exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays by age 18.

Most people know that too much UV exposure can cause sunburn and even skin cancer, but many are unaware that the sun’s UV rays also are associated with eye problems such as cataracts later in life. Children’s eyes are more susceptible to being penetrated by UV rays than adult eyes.

For these reasons, all children, even infants, should wear UV-protective sunglasses when outdoors.First and foremost, the lenses of sunglasses for kids should be made of lightweight, impact-resistant polycarbonate or Trivex lenses that block 100 percent of the sun’s UV rays.

Be aware that the darkness of a sunglass lens does not determine how much UV it blocks. As long as the lenses block 100 percent UV, the color and darkness of the lenses is a matter of personal preference.

Choose sunglasses with lenses large enough to shield your child’s eyes from most angles, but make sure the frame fits properly so the glasses fit comfortably and don’t slide down your child’s nose.

Also, consider purchasing a soft elastic band or cord that can be attached to the ends of the frame temples, so you child can keep their sunglasses handy when they want to remove them.

If your child wears prescription eyeglasses, schedule an appointment to discuss modern frames that have integrated magnetic clip-on sunglasses. This can be a more affordable option than a separate pair of prescription sunglasses. Another option is 100 percent UV-protective photochromic lenses that darken automatically outdoors.

To discuss your child’s options, schedule an appointment today by clicking the button below or calling 850.479.7379.