There are many things you can do to create an eye-friendly environment when working on the computer.

• Position your monitor 20" to 26" from your eyes and about 4" to 6" below eye level.



• Dim the lights. The ratio of surrounding light to monitor light should be 3 to 1.** Most offices, especially those with florescent lights, are too bright. Flickering florescent lights should be eliminated.



• Proper lighting. Eliminate reflections on the computer screen. Reduce excessively bright light both inside and out.



• Consider a hanging copy stand on the monitor. Moving your eyes back and forth between written or printed words on paper and the computer screen can also cause eyestrain.



• Match the computer screen to the brightness of the environment.



• Adjust your monitor for contrast and brightness. In general, dark letters on a light background are easier for most people to read. Another approach would be to use clip-on lenses to eliminate some of the harshness caused by your environment.



• Minimize glare on the computer screen. Use window shades, blinds, or drapes to block excessive sunlight. Move the computer to a location that causes no glare on the screen or use an anti-glare screen guard or hood.



• If you are seated in a draft or near an air vent, try to eliminate the flow of air past your eyes.



• Make sure you sit straight in front of the monitor rather than off to the side.



• Use a flat-panel monitor which flickers much less than the chunky old CRT monitors.



• Use a larger monitor, such as a 17" display or larger.

 ** Use a simple test to determine if lighting is a problem. Cup your hands around your eyes like a visor from a baseball cap. If there is immediate improved comfort from blocking bright lights, you should make changes to eliminate the bright lights.