• ERGONOMIC TIPS THAT CAN PROTECT YOUR EYES AT THE COMPUTER

    In today’s society, many people spend the majority of their days working in front of the computer. While technology may certainly have simplified the American lifestyle, sitting at a desk all day can actually increase your risk for a variety of health problems, including back and shoulder pain, a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, and vision problems.

    Unfortunately, it’s not practical for most people to decrease their screen time considering they need to get work done. But, if you are spending a lot of time in front of the computer, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to harm your eyesight at the same time. Here are a few things you can do to help protect your eyesight and avoid problems with your vision.

    KEEP YOUR HEAD AND NECK IN A NATURAL POSITION

    A common ergonomic mistake is to have the computer screen sit too low, which means you will have your head tilted down in an uncomfortable position all day long. Make sure that the computer screen is at the right height so you can look straight forward and see the screen. Also, consider the side-to-side position of your computer screen, to avoid turning your head right or left in order to see the monitor.

    Your computer monitor should be at about the same height as eye level. Try it at a few different levels, and see which one is most comfortable for you.

    AVOID GLARE AND CLOSE SCREENS

    If you can, position your computer so you don’t have the glare of light coming through the window to shine directly on your computer screen. The glare on the screen can be problematic for your vision, and can cause more strain on the eyes.

    It is also important to avoid looking at the computer screen too closely. Having poor vision sometimes causes people move their faces closer to the screen in order to read the text on the computer. A better option is to keep the computer screen at a safe distance, and instead, increase the font size on the screen so you can see it more clearly.

    BODY POSITION AND ALIGNMENT MATTERS

    Even though it might not seem directly related to your eyesight, the position of your body in the chair can make a difference in the way your eyes are straining throughout the day. If you are carrying a lot of tension in your shoulders and back because of poor ergonomics and body position, then it might result in a situation where you are experiencing headaches or other issues that could impact your eyesight.

    Whether you are experiencing eye problems already or want to prevent problems in the future, the best thing you can do is talk with a qualified eye doctor. Contact us today, and we will help you maintain good eye health!

    Posted March 17, 2015 by Silverstein Eye Centers
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