With the increasing use of computers, computer related-vision problems
are affecting a growing number of individuals. Visual symptoms include:
eyestrain, blurred or double vision, headaches, red or irritated eyes, and color
perception changes. Other individuals may also experience neck or shoulder
tension, general fatigue, or pain in the back, arms, wrists or shoulders.
Improper workstation set-up, a fragile eye teaming or eye focusing system, or
poor visual hygiene can aggravate these symptoms. Individuals who suffer from
computer vision syndrome may find relief through specially designed prescription
lenses, filters, vision therapy, or adjustments to the workstation. If you
experience tension, pain, or visual discomfort when using a computer, you may be
suffering from a computer related-vision problem.
The incidence of eye complaints is likely to increase substantially due to the
widespread use of computers, according to the Association of Optometrists
Ireland. Despite the fact that there is currently no scientific evidence to
prove that computer use causes any damage to eyes, the AOI has stated that
nonetheless, a large number of computer users experience some form of eye
complaint at one time or another. According to the Irish Examiner, AOI
President, Mary Eustace, said, "it's a difficult area because there is no
technical, clinical term for problems created by extended periods of staring at
computers". She added that a few simple steps can reduce strain on the eyes when
working with computers.
They include:
The AOI have also expressed concern that schoolchildren will suffer increased eye problems because of the increasing amount of time they are spending on computers, both at school and in the home. Odds are, if you use a computer regularly, you suffer from Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Should you panic? Absolutely not: CVS simply refers to a collection of eye and vision problems associated with computer use, and about three-quarters of computer users have it. However, you should take certain steps to alleviate your symptoms so they don't get worse.
The most common symptoms of CVS include: eyestrain or eye fatigue, dry eyes, burning eyes, light sensitivity, blurred vision, headaches and pain in the shoulders, neck or back.
CVS can have multiple causes, so experts offer an arsenal of steps to take to free yourself of pesky and painful symptoms. Computer vision syndrome causes eye fatigue, which can make you feel tired in general. Problems with your eyes (eyestrain, dry eyes, burning and light sensitivity) during computer use can result from: insufficient tear flow to the eyes, too much glare and reflection on the monitor, monitor settings that are hard on the eyes and needing glasses (for the first time, or a new pair). So where do you start? Let's look at the problems you can fix right now, without even leaving the room:
Needing new glasses for the computer is more common than most people realize, or are willing to admit. Could this be you? If you're suffering from eyestrain and other irritated-eye symptoms, maybe. If you also have blurred vision, probably. Most people who are suffering from blurred vision while using a computer are middle-aged or older. The reason? Your eyes are aging and it's harder for them to see things that fall into the intermediate zone of your vision. Even if you wear glasses that correct that zone, such as progressive lenses, you'll still have trouble at the computer. Find out why. Also, what you need to know before you shop for computer glasses.
Getting computer glasses can often solve your problems with headaches, and neck, shoulder and back pains as well. Why? Many people, particularly those trying to use the bottom portion of their bifocals for computer work, tip their heads into uncomfortable positions in order to see. However, sometimes your aches and pains are the result of a poor ergonomic set-up; these quick ergonomic tips can help you rearrange your work area so that it is most comfortable for you. Many people are suspicious of their monitors, in particular the amount of radiation they emit (actually a very safe amount: see the sidebar), but the real culprits are eye-unfriendly problems that are easy to correct.
Take a look at your monitor right now. Is it a reasonable distance from your eyes? It should be about 20 to 26 inches away. Is the screen covered in dust? Is your document holder near it? For heaven's sake, clean your monitor every now and then! How do you expect to see through all that dust? And, make sure you place your document holder as close to the screen as possible: constantly looking back and forth between them can tire out your eyes.
Worried about radiation levels of computer monitors? In fact, they are
much lower than the maximum allowed.
Most monitors allow you to adjust the brightness and contrast so that they're easy on your eyes. Make sure to adjust the room's brightness first (see Glare and Reflection), as the room's brightness can affect how you see your monitor; for example, in a too-bright room, your monitor also needs a too-bright setting in order for you to be able to read it.
Brightness and contrast controls are usually buttons on the front of the monitor. How can you tell what a good brightness level is? You want it to match the room brightness. Try looking at something with a white background, such as this web page. If the white seems almost like a light source, that's too bright. If it seems to have a gray filter over it, that's not bright enough. If your room lighting is neither too bright nor too dark, you should end up with a setting in your monitor's mid-range.
After you're finished with the brightness, adjust the contrast to the highest amount you are comfortable with (this should be a very high level of contrast).
Adjusting how your monitor displays text can provide welcome eyestrain relief. Ideally, your text size should be three times the smallest text size you can read from your normal viewing position, according to CVS expert Dr. James Sheedy. Relieve eyestrain by adjusting the way your computer displays text. He also recommends black text on a white background as the best color combination for your eyes; other high-contrast, dark-on-light combinations are also acceptable. To adjust the text size and color settings in the Windows operating system, use the Display Properties dialog box, which is available from the Control Panel. Depending on which version of Windows you have, font size will either be on the Settings tab or the Appearance tab. Color choices are on Appearance.
How well your monitor displays everything on the screen depends on three things: refresh rate, resolution and dot pitch.
Refresh rate refers to how often your monitor redraws the screen. Slow rates can be hard on your eyes, and very slow rates cause a noticeable flicker. Ideally, your refresh rate should be 70 Hz (hertz) or higher.
Resolution, which is linked with the refresh rate, refers to a monitor's pixel density: the more pixels, the higher the level of detail. For example, an 800 by 600 resolution will show more detail than a 640 by 480. Generally, the higher the resolution the better, but watch out for that refresh rate: sometimes, the very high resolutions have an inadequate refresh rate, so you need to choose a setting where both are high numbers.
Ever heard anyone say they feel better as soon as they walk out of their office in the evening? It may be more than relief at escaping from a tyrannical boss. A 1999 study in the Journal of the American Optometric Association showed that eye irritation is one of the symptoms of a condition called Sick Building Syndrome, which afflicts some 25 million U.S. office workers. — J.L.
Dot pitch affects the sharpness of the display; the lower the number, the sharper the image. Most monitors have a dot pitch between 0.25 mm (millimeters) and 0.28 mm; 0.28 or lower is desirable. Some monitors are built differently, and therefore list pitch as horizontal dot pitch or stripe pitch. These numbers are always lower than regular dot pitch; to compare, divide your number by 0.866 to get your monitor's equivalent of a regular dot pitch.
You can find information about refresh rate, resolution and dot pitch in your monitor's manual. Some monitors have a button on the front that gives you this information as well. To adjust the resolution and refresh rate in Windows, use the Settings tab in the Display Properties dialog box. Dot pitch is not adjustable.
Eyes Still Irritated?
Sometimes, the problem is that you need glasses for the intermediate zone of your vision (as opposed to near or far) and don't realize it. You don't ordinarily use that zone very much, but that's where the monitor falls. Read more about how computer glasses can relieve irritated eyes and blurred vision.
Buy Viagra - Unbiased comparison of online pharmaciees
All the above contents were taken from the below listed sites for the benefit of the users. If the content owners want me to remove the above content please email me. I will do it immediately. Contact - introduction2computers@yahoo.com
http://www.scco.edu/ecc/visiontherapy/CompRelVisProb.html
http://www.allaboutvision.com
http://www.irishhealth.com