How to get along with your Computer Monitor

If these problems persist, the symptoms can become much worse. There are no conclusive studies confirming the long term effects of these problems, but still, several authors conclude that eyestrain can cause difficulties focusing and aligning your eyes, as well as changes in color perception. Other indicate that computer eyestrain accelerates nearsightedness and even the development of cataracts, especially in patients over 40 years of age. Fortunately, you can prevent these problems by following a few suggestions.

First, have your eyes tested by an ophtalmologist. He or she will diagnose any major problems and prescribe the glasses you may need for working on the computer. Then, learn how to get along with your monitor. There may be too much light in your work area- remember that the screen has its own source of light. It is desirable to minimize the contrast in the brightness of your monitor and the surrounding area, therefore, lower your lights somewhat and make sure that there are no reflections on the screen.

If the display seems to vibrate, try to lower the display resolution. Your monitor should have a refresh rate of at least 60 Hz (preferably 72 Hz), work in a non-interlaced mode, and have a dot pitch (the distance between each dot) of .28 mm or less. If these minimum recommendations are not met, you should consider getting a new monitor.

Finally, remember to give your eyes a break every 20 minutes. Staring at the computer screen sometimes makes you forget to blink, thus drying and irritating your eyes. So get up, walk around, and look out of the window focusing on distant objects. Don't let your eyes suffer unnecessarily!