Adjust seating so feet rest on the floor with knees at a 90 degree angle {if not: use a foot rest } Seating has lumbar support from waist up to shoulder blades built into the chair {if not: use supplemental support }
Maintain elbows in an approximate angle of 90 degrees; wrists are level and you have a wrist rest
If you are a right handed individual; place documents on the right side - on a document holder attached to the monitor or immediately in front of the PC.
Laptop user should place documents on a document holder to the right side of computer.
Left handed individuals use the left side.
Top of the Monitor height should be in the area between your eyebrows and the top of your forehead {if you use bifocal glasses or monovision contact lenses - let me know for your positioning may be altered }
Adjust Laptop screens to an angle and height as high as possible
Position yourself approximately 24 to 28 inches from monitor screen when operating
Mouse should be on the same plane as keyboard and no more than 15 degrees to the side
Increase screen illumination to brightest level without affecting screen contrast. {black letters on a light background is preferred }
Room lighting in the range of 25 - 50 foot candles Before you turn on screen, check for glare from lights above, windows, or lights to side.
Because we all stare at the CRT screen; blink rates are reduced and the eye's moistness level is diminished. What are the symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome:
Chronic redness of the sclera (white part of your eye) ---- Burning ---- Tearing
Itchiness ---- Eyes feel gritty ---- at end of day; eyes feel dry and sorein the morning;
eyes have in the corners heavy levels of sleep debris
Allergy sufferers who use computers experience more dry eyes. Computer users taking certain medications (both prescription and over the counter) also are more susceptible to dry eyes. Women beginning in their '30s and teenagers have drier eye conditions. Eye care professionals can evaluate dry eye syndrome via a slit lamp microscopic analysis, Rose Bengal test or a "Zone Quick" test. Important to note: drops that promise to get the red look out of your eyes should be avoided. They contain vasal constrictors which tighten the blood vessels in the eyes. These types of drops are designed for minimal application and some evidence suggests they actually dry the eye. A natural tear will be more effective in refreshing and soothing the eye. As a part of my complete ergonomic analysis I evaluate visual performance. The eyes direct all our body activity. I'll recommend methods to improve visual difficulties which in turn affect computer operation and productivity. I'd like to suggest the following product: Cellufresh and Celluvisc by Allergan. I have seen these lubricants make a dramatic difference in the eyes of computer users.
IF in the a.m. the eye has "red veins" and / or debris in corner of eyes, lubricate with Cellufresh and wait a half hour before inserting contacts. At end of day - If after contacts are removed your eyes feel dry ,red and are itchy - lubricate again. During the day while contacts are worn, if you feel like an eyelash is touching this is the first stage of dryness. Use a contact lens lubricant ( Ciba lens drop or Clerz 2). One drop in the eye is sufficient, in just a few blinks the refreshment should occur and last for a number of hours. The second stage of contact lens dryness will be a blink, momentarily the vision is fuzzy and with the next blink vision is restored. Lubricate again. Drops are not habit forming or addictive. If after lubrication you experience any halos or rainbows around light sources; your eye is exhausted and the contacts should be removed with no additional wear that day. Computers pose a specific demand for contact lens wearers. Remember head position must not be tilted downward as this will decrease blink rate. Increase screen illumination for your eyes focus better upon a brighter source especially as you get older. Keep documents either in front of you or on your dominant side of the CRT screen. Any questions just give me a call at 708-686-5266
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Everyday Challenges: Dry Eye Visual difficulties related to Computers are the number one complaint by workers who depend on computers for their business activity. If you are experiencing difficulty in viewing the monitor or your printed materials; you will compensate by engaging in body postures (such as bending & leaning). These body postures place more pressure and stress on your neck, shoulders, and back. Ultimately these body postures increase your risk of developing a repetitive stress injury. For this reason a critical part of our complete ergonomic assessment includes a visual profile.
With an ever increasing frequency; I am seeing more and more situations of dry eye. So I believe it's time to revisit Dry Eye in depth, corrective action, and products for treatment.
What actually is Dry Eye?
Dry eye describes a condition when the eye cannot produce enough tears or tears that are lacking the proper composition. Normally healthy tears consist of three layers. The layers are often described as an outer oily layer, middle watery layer, and an inner mucus layer. Together the three layers are necessary for proper lubrication of the eye. Dry eye is a managble condition and shouldn't be discounted as simply a minor nuisance. If untreated dry eye can interfere:
* with the clarity of your vision
* contact lens wearers experience irritation, reduced hours of wear, and possible infection
* with the health of eye tissue and possibly damage, even permanently scar, your cornea
What are the Causes: Dry eye for most people is the result of aging. The eye becomes drier, naturally, as we get older. It is my personal experience women tend to experience a drier eye more often because of an increase in the mucus layer.
Contributing factors to dry eye:
Prolonged focusing at a monitor, driving, and reading reduce the normal blink rate of 20 times per minute by 75%. Drier environments like offices which have the air conditioning / heat "kicked up" remove much needed moisture from the atmosphere.
Personal medications like antihistamines and oral contraceptives reduce the amount of tears available to the eye. Lack of sleep interferes with the normal production of tears and blinking rates ( the eye needs at minimum 6 hours of rest)
Over wear of contact lenses, your daily average wearing time exceeds 14 hours, exhausts the eye and leads to a reduction in tear levels. Lack of proper contact lens maintenance contributes because of the affect dirty contacts have upon the health of the eye. And there are some specific health conditions like arthritis, chemo therapy treatment, etc..
What are the symptoms: The degree of dryness and the symptoms can vary from person to person. But those people who have dry eye tend to experience the following:
White part of the eye is red - those nasty red veins are everywhere
Burning sensation
Irritation, scratchy, or uncomfortable eyes
Foreign body sensation
Blurred vision
Excessive watering as the eye tries to comfort itself
My recommendations for corrective actions address both internal and external factors. Changing the dryness in your office can be accomplished by incorporating a personal humidifier unit. Organize your daily activities so intense computer interaction is in the a.m. when you're stronger and more rested. Further daily organization of your day finds you engaged in different responsibilities which allow you to change your focusing points.If you must take prescription or over the counter medications consult your physician and pharmacist for alternatives which have a reduced dryness side effect. Try to get a good night's rest. Avoid consuming large amounts of caffinated beverages. These tend to actually dehydrate you { example: one 12 oz. can of Coke has 50 mg of sodium} Practice good contact lens maintenance (see our archives page on our website for our recommendations). Make artificial tears a regular part of your treatment.
Lubricating drops are not habit forming or additive.
It is my opinion that a natural tear will be more effective in refreshing and soothing the eye. Optimum improvements are gain when used on a regular basis. Not just when your eyes are bothering you. Allergan produces a full line of this type of artificial tears.I have seen first hand the successes that Allergan's products can achieve. Allergan's products are effective when treating the various levels of dry eye. Allergan has been kind enough to provide me a limited supply of samples. If you would like a sample; please contact my office at 708-508-6471
Remember if in a 2 - 3 day period your symptoms do not improve I recommend you consult your local private optometrist. Important to note: drops that only promise to get the red look out of your eyes should be avoided. They contain vasal constrictors which tighten the blood vessels in the eyes. These types of drops are designed for minimal application and some evidence suggests they actually dry the eye.
VDT Solution main page / VDT Services / Ergonomic Guide / Product Reviews / Healthy Computer Newsletter
Vision Xperts / Preferred Resources / Carpal Tunnel / Speaking & Presentations / Archives / Fact$ / Free Risk Software