Expert Advice Computer / VDU Eyecare
DON’T LET YOUR EYES BE A PAIN AT WORK
Experts offer advice for avoiding eye problems at work
Many people complain of being sick of work, but staring at a screen all day could actually cause some health problems,according to eye experts. Research from the College of Optometrists revealsthat over half of Brits now spend nearly 50 hours a week staring at a computerscreen and a high number of workers are experiencing eye problems as a result.
Two in five workers who use computer screens say that they suffer from headachesand over half say that they get tired eyes, with a quarter also admitting that they have ‘difficulty focusing’. One in five workers also say that they sufferfrom ‘blurred vision’. Eye experts highlight that these conditions could belinked to the increasing amount of time that millions of people all over thecountry are spending staring at a computer screen.
Dr. Susan Blakeney, optometric advisor to the College of Optometrists, said: “Whileusing a computer can’t permanently damage your eyes, if you don’t take regularbreaks and use the correct vision aids for your eyesight, you can strain youreyes, and may experience headaches, blurriness, tired eyes, and focus problems.This can be painful and uncomfortable, as well as making your time both in workand out of work tiring and inefficient. It’scrucial for everyone, but especially for those using a computer screen for asignificant amount of time, that you take regular breaks and visit your localoptometrist regularly who will be able to identify any problems you may havewith your eyes, and recommend the best course of action.”
The College of Optometrists has top tips to keep your eyes healthy in front of a screen:
- Make sure that if you need spectacles to look at a screen, you wear them!
- Blink regularly. When focusing on a screen your reflexes will slow down, tearproduction will reduce, and you will blink less, causing dry and uncomfortable eyes.
- Remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eye muscles a break and help increase the rate of blinking.
- Keep the distance of the monitor from your eyesbetween 16 to 30 inches. Most people find a distance of 20 to 26 inches comfortable.
- Make sure that the top of the monitor is at a level at or slightly below your horizontal eye level.
- Tilt the top of the monitor away from you at a10- to 20-degree angle. This will enable you to create an optimum viewing angle.
- Keep your screen free of dust and fingerprints.
- Try and position you monitor so that you do not get distracting reflections (e.g. from a window)
- Use an adjustable chair that enables you to sitat a proper angle and distance from your computer monitor screen.
- If your work involves prolonged data entry use document holders to secure any reading or reference material. Placing them close to the monitor and at the same distance from your eyes as your monitor, will enable your eyes toremain focused as they look from the monitor to the reading material.
- Use a character size that is visible. The character size is an important factor since it determines the distance atwhich you prefer to view the monitor.
- Make sure your workstation is set up comfortably;avoid poor posture which can lead to neck, back, arm or other aches.
The study was carried out as part of The College of Optometrist’s research into eyehealth.
For further information, case studies andinterviews contact:
Edith Barton-Harvey or
Tel: 020 7009 3118/ 020 7009 3131
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.college-optometrists.org
Notes to editors:
Source: YouGov omnibus, fieldwork11-13 March 2008, 2,087 sample; 4 – 7 July 2008, 1962 sample
About The College of Optometrists
The College of Optometrists is the Professional, Scientific and Examining Body for Optometryin the UK, working for the public benefit. Supporting its Members in all aspects of professional development,the College provides pre-registration training and assessment, continuous professionaldevelopment opportunities, and advice and guidance on professional conduct andstandards, enabling our Members to serve their patients well and contribute to the wellbeing of local communities.
Previously known as ophthalmic opticians, optometrists are trained professionals who examine eyes, test sight, give advice on visual problems, and prescribe and dispense spectacles or contact lenses. They also recommend other treatments or visual aids where appropriate. Optometrists are trained to recognise eye diseases, referring such cases as necessary, and can also use or supply various eye drugs.
Optometrists study at university for at least three years normally andparticipate in a full year of training and supervision, called thepre-registration year, before qualifying. Once qualified, they have theopportunity to develop their interests in specialist aspects of practice suchas contact lenses, treating eye diseases, low vision, children’s vision andsports vision.
All optometrists practising in the UK must be registered with the GeneralOptical Council, the profession’s regulatory body, and are listed in the Opticians Register. The letters FCOptom or MCOptom after an optometrist’s namemeans that he or she is a fellow or member of the College of Optometrists. The letters DipCLP after an optometrist’s name means that he or she has undertakenan additional post graduate qualification in contact lens practice.
There are currently over 11,500 registered optometrists in the UK.