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Eyestrain
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Eyestrain has long been associated with extended use of computers. In fact, it is the most common condition experienced by computer users (12).
You are at increased risk for eyestrain if the following conditions are present:
Many computer users find themselves in conditions that are ripe for eyestrain to occur ‚ namely, in front of a monitor for many hours (intensive use), under fluorescent lights (detrimental lighting) and working under a deadline (stress). Eyestrain can manifest in one of several forms: it can cause headaches, double vision, focusing problems and affect colour perception. Ideally, you will want to practise relaxation techniques for the eyes several times throughout the day. While most vision experts do not think you can cause any permanent damage to your eyes from spending a lot of time in front of a computer screen, you can prevent eyestrain by following these simple guidelines: If you experience profound changes in vision or eye discomfort for any extended period of time, get an eye examination immediately. Offices tend to be very brightly lit, although this is usually not the best choice for people using computer screens to do the majority of their work. Because the eye adjusts to the brightest light in the area, it can cause eyestrain for people working monitors that are more dimly lit. In addition, task lighting should be used with caution ‚ it is often used incorrectly due to poor positioning or excessive brightness that shines directly into the user's eyes. The best starting point is to take your cue from the brightness of the computer screen to achieve a good lighting balance (14). In an ideal situation, the worker would have control over the lighting, which would be easily adjustable and allow for fairly uniform luminance. If bright lights cannot be avoided, they should be away from a worker's field of vision. Related to eyestrain, headaches can also be caused by the work environment. Most common are tension headaches, which can be brought on by long hours in front of a computer screen. While the majority of work-related headaches fall under the umbrella of "tension headaches," there are many factors in the workplace that can trigger a migraine, such as light, noise, stress and even certain foods. Less common are cluster headaches, which share similarities with both tension headaches and migraines. Like migraines, the pain is severe but it tends to "cluster" behind the eye and recurs on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. While it is often tricky to prevent tension headaches, migraine sufferers should try to avoid known triggers. Some recommended prevention techniques: |
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