“Scoot back… you’re sitting too close to the TV!” That’s what my mom used to say just about every day when I was growing up. I never could understand what the problem was with sitting a mere eight inches away from the glowing TV screen.
What harm could it do? Little did I know that bad habit would catch up to me in the future… Many of us graphic artists probably stare at our computers more than 10 hours a day. It’s gotten to the point where you can guess that someone who wears glasses to work probably has a job that deals with computers. Studies show that eyestrain and other bothersome visual symptoms occur in 50 to 90 percent of computer workers. Some take it as an unavoidable occupational hazard, but Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS is a real diagnosed problem that many of us suffer from. It takes a toll on our eyes, yes, but problems with strained eyesight can have other harmful effects such as headaches, fatigue and decreased productivity. Following these tips will help to eliminate or prevent the effects of Computer Vision Syndrome: • Getting a formal eye exam (from a real doctor, not your mother…) • Using proper lighting in your workspace • Minimizing glare on your computer screen (by using an anti-glare screen on your monitor or closing the drapes to surrounding windows) • Adjusting the brightness/contrast on your computer screen (the glow from the screen should not look like a light source, nor should it be so dark that you must squint or sit too close to look at what you’re doing) Last but not least the best advice for avoiding CVS is to listen to my mother: “Don’t sit too close to the computer screen!”
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