lcd screen eye strain pricelist

The newest models of LCD monitors offer big, bright images that are adequate for all but the most demanding PC user. They consume less power, weigh just a few pounds and have noticeably less flicker, and thus produce less eye strain, than their CRT cousins. And they are more stylish.

Despite steep price reductions in the last few months, flat-panel displays still cost more than twice as much as conventional CRT computer monitors with comparable screen size and resolution.

In the last year, prices for flat-panel displays have fallen by as much as two-thirds. For example, in June 1997 the list price for a 14-inch Think Panel LCD Model 9514 from I.B.M. was $3,000. Today it is $999. Earlier this month, Apple slashed the price of its 15-inch Studio Display LCD to $1,299, from $1,999.

The plummeting prices are a result of better manufacturing efficiencies, weak financial conditions in Asia where all the LCD makers are located and increased competition among display sellers here. On top of that, computer companies are preparing to introduce a new generation of digital LCD displays this fall that hold the promise of even better performance and lower prices. There are some complications

But even as LCD prices have tumbled, so too have prices for conventional CRT monitors. Many computer makers are selling 17-inch CRT monitors for less than $500 today, and 14-inch and 15-inch computer monitors are so cheap -- typically less than $200 -- that some companies are giving them away as incentives to spur computer sales.

""We don"t see CRT"s going away any time soon,"" said Paul Semenza, director of market analysis at Stanford Resources, a market research and consulting firm in San Jose, Calif. ""They"re cheap, and extremely reliable."" For example, Mr. Semenza said, some 14 million conventional monitors were sold (separately or bundled with computers) in the first half of this year, compared with 55,000 LCD"s.

Given the price difference, even the most technologically ardent consumers -- the fabled ""early adopters"" -- may find it hard to look a spouse squarely in the eye and argue that the flat-panel monitors are worth double or triple the price of an equally good or superior CRT display. Analysts say flat-panel monitors will not capture significant shares of the consumer market until the price ratio between LCD and CRT is 1.5 to 1 or lower, and that is not expected to happen any time soon.

Even so, some flat-panel customers can justify the price differences. Hospitals and medical offices favor LCD displays because, unlike CRT monitors, their signals do not interfere with nearby sensitive equipment. Banks and financial institutions array them on the previously groaning desks of traders who need multiple monitors to track different markets. Office workers crammed into small cubicles love them for their relatively petite footprint, which yields more working space, or room for more clutter, on the desk surface.

Come to think of it, these thin displays would seem to be ideal for apartment dwellers who are torn between a desire for a bigger monitor and the lack of space for it. The Internet has fueled a demand for bigger screen sizes, but CRT"s typically are as many inches deep and wide as the screen size, measured diagonally. Apple"s 15-inch Studio Display, in comparison, has the same viewable area on screen as Apple"s 17-inch CRT, and it can fit on a shelf 10 inches deep and 15 inches wide.

But flat-panel displays are intrinsically digital, mapping their images on a rigidly defined grid of tiny ""on"" and ""off"" cells. This is not a problem for the LCD panels attached to laptop computers, which send digital signals directly to the digital display. For LCD monitors to work with most desktop computers, however, they must convert the incoming analog signal back to digital.

Besides adding complexity and cost to the LCD monitor, this digital-to-analog-to-digital dance is further complicated by variations in the timing of the computer"s video card. Not all cards synchronize signals the same way. If the signals are not precisely on track, unwanted video artifacts can occur. Straight lines may veer, pixels may pop out of line.

For this reason, it makes sense for shoppers, whenever possible, to test the LCD monitor on the computer that will be driving it. Variations in different video cards can cause the same monitor to behave beautifully or to be quirky, depending on what it is plugged into. Doing away with the analog-to-digital converter in the LCD monitors would eliminate some of the complexity and cost, driving prices down another $100 or so but only if the computer itself has a digital video card. For the majority of PC owners today, buying a digital card would more than erase the savings on the monitor.

Compaq is already offering a digital LCD panel as an option on its Presario line of home computers, and at least two other major PC makers will add digital flat-panel options this fall.

Once a computer is equipped with a digital video card and a compatible digital LCD monitor, however, the chance of a happy marriage is quite high as long as the relationship between the computer and the LCD is monogamous. Monitor swapping is problematic because, for now at least, most other computers will have analog cards.

Thus, another suggestion: If the LCD monitor is to be community property, consider one of the current analog versions. If it is to be used exclusively with only one computer, it may make sense to wait until the new digital models show up later this year especially if one is buying a new computer to go with it.

Technical discussions aside, the flat monitors may have some intangible benefits, too. James D. Pyler, marketing strategist for visual products for I.B.M. in Raleigh, N.C., recalls putting an early LCD model on his desk several years ago and being quickly surrounded by crowds of admiring co-workers. ""They"re different than the standard monitor, and as a result, they make you look like you"re more important,"" he said. One of the co-workers who came over to admire the LCD later became his wife. He prefers to think she was attracted to him, and not to the monitor.

""They are quirkier,"" Mr. Soneira said of the flat-panel monitors, which have a liquid crystal display (LCD). The flat-panel screens require more adjustments to achieve the best picture, and even then they may exhibit odd and perplexing behaviors that would be unacceptable in displays of cathode-ray tubes, or CRT"s.

Imagine being in a football stadium and trying to get hundreds of fans to align themselves perfectly and to flip an assortment of colored cards precisely on cue all day long. Multiplied by thousands, that is the daunting challenge of the transistors that drive the picture elements (pixels) on an LCD monitor.

LCD panels typically have one or more bad pixels, including some that are stuck annoyingly in either the ""on"" or ""off"" position. Laptop computer screens often have similar freckles.

Contrary to popular wisdom, LCD monitors do in fact flicker, Mr. Soneira said. But the flicker is much less noticeable than with CRT"s, so people who stare into a computer screen for most of the day generally report less eye fatigue with LCD"s. This, besides space saving, is one of the prime benefits of flat-panel monitors. Also, on a properly tuned LCD monitor, smaller text is more readable.

Early LCD monitors, besides being wildly expensive, were technically finicky. Viewing angles were narrow, meaning the user had to align his eyeballs almost precisely at the center of the screen to see images at their best. Straying to the side, or up and down, even by a few inches, made images change color, become distorted or lose contrast.

The newest LCD monitors, specifically the type known as TFT (Thin Film Transistor), like those used for laptops -- are much better, although every one we tested showed some degree of color shift as a result either of a change in viewing angle or of variations in lighting across the screen. In terms of retaining contrast at wider viewing angles, though, newer LCD displays are comparable to CRT"s.

Lighting is a crucial distinction between LCD and CRT monitors. The cathode-ray tube generates its own brightness across the screen as electrons excite layers of phosphors and cause them to glow.

But LCD screens are illuminated only by a background light that typically runs around the perimeter of the screen. These fluorescent backlights are known to dim and darken over time.

Because LCD desktop monitors are still new, one can only speculate on the life span of the screen. Manufacturers are coy when asked about it, and concede that no one really knows whether it will be practical to replace fading backlights.

LCD monitors have only one optimum, or native, resolution. CRT displays, in contrast, typically can switch among several standard resolutions. Problems often arise when the LCD monitor tries to display a nonnative resolution, resulting in poor image quality.

Some LCD models -- not all -- offer high native resolutions (up to 1,280 by 1,024 pixels) and colors (16.7 million shades) that rival their sumo-size counterparts. Of the half-dozen flat-panel monitors tested for this article, however, none could display large areas of black reliably. While colors are quite good, they often lack the richness, or saturation, of CRT displays.

Some LCD screens also have slower response times than most CRT"s, Mr. Soneira said, which can lead to disappearing cursors when the mouse is moved quickly, or substandard, jerky performance when full-motion video images are displayed. However, we found no problems when playing DVD movies on the screens.

The picture above is a screenshot of my monitor’s display. Below is one small portion of it. Look carefully at the New York Times article and compare it to what you see on your own monitor, here.

Furthermore, this 21.5″ 1920×1080 monitor is 34 inches from my eyes, so that I can’t distinguish individual pixels. The enlarged text appears very crisp from this distance, and this means easier reading and less eye fatigue.

Sit far from the monitor and increase screen font size to increase effective resolution. See “Reduce Eye Fatigue” section below for how to calculate this distance for your monitor.

Can a widescreen monitor be used effectively for the first two uses? Yes. Many people do. And it may be ideal in certain homes where the display is used for both entertainment and light work. But if you’re trying to work without distraction for hours at a time, you may find that a widescreen monitor will lead you down the dark path of multitasking unrelated activities.

I tried for two years to use a 24”, 1920×1200, widescreen monitor effectively at my office, because I often find myself flipping back and forth between writing and researching. I failed. With the combination of a widescreen monitor and a tabbed browser, I too often succumbed to multitasking unrelated activities.

I had other issues with the wide screen. The short monitor height required too many clicks to scroll through long articles. I couldn’t use fullscreen mode because text stretched super wide. And though tools like Readability or Readable could be used, much of the screen space was wasted with wide margins.

I did distracted myself with many experiments to try to improve the situation, including various utilities or plug-ins designed to manage large screens or block distraction. It turns out that most content is meant to be displayed vertically, and this is assumed in computer software and operating systems. I found myself constantly battling this vertical display assumption, and often losing. So after two years of reduced productivity I gave up on widescreen monitors.

Now I have the best of both worlds. I have a widescreen monitor, but it can pivot into a vertical position. It is in vertical position over 95% of the time.

Steve Jobs claims that you can’t distinguish individual pixels on a device with more than 300 PPI such as the iPhone 4 or iPod Touch 4g, which both have a 326 pixels per inch (PPI) “Retina Display.” He’s right. That is likely the main reason my eyes get less tired with this device than any other LCD display I’ve used.

Have you ever noticed how a massive HDTV looks great 6 or more feet away, but not so great close up? You can see the individual pixels on a 46” HDTV if you’re 3 feet away, but not if you’re 6 feet away. The same principal applies to an LCD display. Move it twice as far away, and you’ll only be able to distinguish half the detail.

In other words, you cannot distinguish individual pixels on a 326 PPI Retina Display that is more than 10.55 inches away from your eyes unless you have better than 20/20 vision. The same applies to my 103 PPI monitor at a distance of greater than 33.4 inches.

Enlarged text nearly three feet from my eyes is very easy to read. Another subtle benefit is that page elements such as tabs, menus, and status bars do not get larger. They look tiny relative to the enlarged text, so they’re less noticeable and less distracting.

Note that by enlarging your web pages or documents, you do end up with less information on the screen. I find that I don’t usually need 1920×1080 pixels worth of information on a screen at one time. But when I do, I can simply move the screen closer to my eyes. Yes I lose the benefits of having the equivalent of a Retina Display, but the trade-off is sometimes worthwhile, particularly with large spreadsheets.

On a vertical monitor, you have much more vertical space than on a horizontally positioned widescreen monitor. So you’ll need fewer clicks to scroll through the vertically arranged content, and you’ll be able to see more of it at a time.

For example, my Dell 21.5″, 1920×1080 monitor (HDTV resolution) can pivot between vertical and horizontal positions. The vertical position means 1920 pixels of vertical space devoted to a web page, while a horizontally positioned screen means only 1080 pixels of vertical space

You could theoretically get the same amount of text on the screen by filling up the entire monitor with your browser, but that stretches the text very wide. It is very difficult to read text which has 150 characters per line. Various studies show that people can read fastest at somewhere between 60 and 95 characters per line, which is what I get by positioning my monitor vertically, 34 inches away, with enlarged text.

The advantages of working using the cloud are numerous, but endless web distractions can lead to wasted time and feelings of information overload. I’ve discussed tools for reducing distraction for both writing and reading on the web. These tools work well on vertical monitors but poorly on widescreen monitors.

For example, the simplest distraction blocker is to simply put your browser into fullscreen mode by pressing the F11 key. Try it on a widescreen monitor and you’ll see your text stretches so wide that there’s more than 150 characters per line. This is difficult to read.

Fullscreen mode works as intended on a vertical monitor. You eliminate menus, toolbars, address bars, bookmark bars, and status bars. You also get more vertical space so you’ll display more of what you’re reading, leading to fewer clicks to read a long article.

My favorite distraction blockers these days are tools like Readability or Readable. Readability is built in to the Safari browser and it can be added to Firefox or Chrome with plugins. You can also use Readability or Readable bookmarklets on any browser. These tools do work on widescreen monitors as you can specify the text width, leaving wide margins. But using these tools on a vertical monitor is better because much more text is on the screen, which means less clicks when reading a long article.

Get a widescreen monitor that has the ability to pivot. Keep it in vertical position most of the time. Rotate it horizontally only when having more than one window open at a time will really help your productivity.

Inexpensive 19″, 1280×1024 monitors will do. But with 86 PPI, these monitors need to be 40” away to achieve the equivalent resolution of a Retina Display that is 10.55 inches from your eyes. Worse, you’ll need to enlarge the text in order to read it and then won’t be able to see much more information than you can on an iPod Touch. More likely is that you won’t want to position your 1280×1024 monitor so far away, so you’ll notice the individual pixels.

Luckily, high quality 1920×1080 monitors can be purchased for $150 to $400 these days. The diagonal length of monitors with this resolution ranges from 21.5” to 26”, but the larger sizes of these monitors usually cannot pivot. Furthermore, the bigger the monitor is, the farther you’ll need to place it away from your eyes.

The 21.5” diagonal screen size was the smallest I could find on a 1920×1080 monitor. It needs to be only 33.4” from my eyes (to achieve the same effect as a Retina Display at 10.55 inches), as opposed to the 37.5” required for a 24” display. Closer is better so I don’t have to lean forward as far when I need to look at something small.

Having failed to make good use of a widescreen monitor after two years of trying, I’ve obviously given up on them in the office. But many people use them for home entertainment purposes. And some people are very productive with them. Maybe you’re one of them, and you’d like to share about it below.

There are many reasons to restrict the amount of time you spend in front of an electronic screen. For example, more hours sitting at a computer or smartphone means fewer hours of being physically active, and looking at a computer screen at night can stimulate the brain and make it difficult to fall asleep.

Here"s another reason to curb screen time: a problem called computer vision syndrome — an umbrella term for conditions that result from looking at a computer or smartphone screen. "It"s most prevalent with computers, and typically occurs when looking at a screen at arm"s length or closer," says Dr. Matthew Gardiner, an ophthalmologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

One is dry eyes, caused by a lack of blinking. "When you look at a screen, you"re so involved that you forget to blink. The blink rate goes from 15 times a minute to five or seven times per minute," explains Dr. Gardiner. But you need to blink to re-establish the tear film on the eyes — a thin layer of liquid that protects the surface of the eye. If you don"t blink enough, your eyes dry out, causing blurry vision and discomfort.

The other main problem from staring at a screen too long is eyestrain. Dr. Gardiner says one possible cause of this is the brightness or glare that comes from the electronic screen. "Bright light sources can feel uncomfortable, especially if you have cataracts," Dr. Gardiner says. Eyestrain can also result from focusing up close on a screen without the proper eyeglass prescription. "Any time you strain to see something, maybe because you need reading glasses and have resisted getting them, you can get a headache. You can exhaust your eyes" ability to focus," says Dr. Gardiner.

Some research has even suggested that eyestrain may result from difficulty focusing on the text and images on computer screens in particular, since they"re made of pixels that create blurry edges.

Fortunately, eyestrain and dry eyes are easily treated. Dr. Gardiner recommends using artificial tears several times throughout the day. The artificial tears don"t have to be preservative-free. Another tip: remind yourself to blink from time to time.

If you have eyestrain and headaches after looking at the computer screen for long periods, make sure your eyeglass prescription is up to date. "The proper glasses can reduce eyestrain," says Dr. Gardiner. "The classic example is a person who never needed glasses, and then after age 45 has trouble seeing up close and is straining all day and getting headaches. Once the person gets reading glasses, the headaches are gone."

Dr. Gardiner"s best advice: take a break from electronic screens every 15 to 30 minutes, just for a minute. "Look away from the screen. Do something else, and refocus on a distant target."

Mom warned you not to sit too close to the TV when you were a kid. "In the past, screens were bombarded with energy. That emission back in the 1950s was too strong. In the "60s and "70s, they made safer TVs. Now with LCD or LED TVs, there"s nothing coming out of the screen to hurt you," says Dr. Matthew Gardiner, an ophthalmologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Watching TV for long periods won"t generally lead to computer vision syndrome, since you"re using your distance vision for viewing, not close-up vision, which risks eyestrain. However, sitting too close to a big-screen TV may cause neck strain. "You"ll only see what"s right in front of you, and end up looking around to see all aspects of the screen," says Dr. Gardiner.

In this day and age, computers, smartphones and similar technologies are everywhere. Many hours are spent by most of us, either during our leisure time or for work, looking at the lighted screen of a computer or smartphone. Recently, the incidence of Computer Eye Strain has gone up significantly. As much as 90 percent of all people who consistently work with computers suffer from eye strain and other symptoms. These symptoms often lead to physical fatigue, decreased productivity and increased work errors. Minor annoyances, such as eye twitching and red eyes, have also been reported.

Fortunately, one can take several steps to reduce his/her risk of computer eye strain and other common symptoms of computer vision syndrome: Move your workspace around a bit. With a bit of rearrangement, a new workspace configuration can help your eyes more easily deal with strain associated with working all day on the computer. First, attempt to minimize the impact of light coming in from outside by simply closing the shades. Also, if possible, place your computer screen with windows to the outside off to the side, rather than behind or in front of it. This reduces strain on your eyes from bright sunlight that streams in through the window and may cause your eyes discomfort. Set your monitor settings to maximize comfort. Monitor settings, when set incorrectly, can also do a great deal to detract from your visual comfort while on the computer. Dr. John J. Bluff of Hour Eyes Optical in Seattle, Washington, advise, “If you have an old tube-style monitor, get rid of it as soon as possible. This style of a monitor has a noticeable, uncomfortable "flicker," and likely gives off a glare that contributes to computer eye strain. LCD screens, by contrast, lack this flicker and very often include an anti-reflective surface. These are extremely important factors when trying to make computer use more comfortable on your eyes. As an added note, desktop computer displays must be at least 19" diagonal to facilitate strain-free use. Adjust your computer"s display settings correctly as well. Brightness, text size, contrast and color temperature all add to or diminish your experience.” Finally, regular eye exams are absolutely essential. This is true no matter what eye condition is being treated or prevented. Those who work most of their days on the computer should have an eye exam before they start working, and every year after that, so that their eye doctor can keep track of changes, and treat symptoms as they are diagnosed. “Also, speak to your eye doctor about custom "computer glasses" to help deal with computer eye strain,” notes Dr. John J. Bluff.

We know that computer and mobile device screens can be a source of pain for people with light-aggravated conditions like migraine, but new research is showing that a particular type of device screen can also provoke light sensitivity in patients with post-concussion syndrome (PCS). We explore the implications of these findings—which were recently presented at the American Academy of Neurology Sports Concussion Conference—and how patients might be able to improve their symptoms.

Researchers from the Canadian Concussion Centre explored the effects of LCD and non-LCD screens on a group of patients who reported post-concussion light sensitivity. Specifically, they found that the use of non-LCD screens were less likely to exacerbate symptoms of concussion-related photophobia. Participants—who were at least three months removed from their last concussion but still experienced PCS symptoms—were generally able to spend more time on non-LCD monitors and also reported less eye strain. Furthermore, they cited a greater ability to focus while on these types of screens when compared with standard LCD displays.

“We"ve observed that photophobia occurs in up to 43 percent of individuals with PCS and, in severe cases, can last several years or even permanently,” said Director Dr. Charles Tator in a statement. “In a society more and more reliant on working and learning on screens, PCS sufferers can experience the added suffering of being unable to return to their academic or professional routine which can be frustrating."

There are many reasons why LCD (short for ‘liquid crystal display’) screens can impact how a person feels. The researchers of this latest study have hypothesized that the flicker rate of these displays is a possible culprit because, although it is invisible to the naked eye, it is picked up by the brain. This flicker has been described by neurologist Dr. Gayatri Devi as a “strobe-like effect” that strains the eye muscles and can lead to a headache or migraine episode or aggravate light sensitivity in PCS patients. Furthermore, many LCD screens are backlit by cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) bulbs which also have an invisible pulsing that has been shown to worsen these symptoms.

Screen brightness may also play a role. Bright light and/or heavy contrast (such as viewing a smartphone screen in an otherwise dark room) can lead to eyestrain or bring about a headache or migraine attack. As a result, many may choose to counteract this issue by reducing the brightness level of the display, but that can actually lead to additional negative consequences. First, screens that are dimmed too substantially can also cause the eyes to strain due to the extensive focus required. Second, if the LCD is backlit by an LED bulb instead of a CCFL, dimming the screen can actually increase the invisible pulsing that the brain perceives.

Lastly, several studies have shown that specific wavelengths of light can trigger or worsen photophobia. Exposure to blue light can not only impact our sleep patterns and cause episodes of eye strain, but blue light has also been implicated in provoking migraine attacks, headaches and photophobia as well. Not surprisingly, this type of light is everywhere, including computer and mobile device screens. Regardless, many individuals recognize that too much screen time can have a negative effect on their health.

The most obvious solution for those who find these kinds of displays problematic is to reduce the amount of screen time or cut them out entirely—either by not using them or finding more palatable alternatives such as the non-LCD technology used in the study. If a person with post-concussion syndrome must absolutely use LCD-backed monitors, then they might be able to experience relief by enabling (or disabling) some common features available on many smartphone devices. Click here or below to see the entire list.

TheraSpecs glasses can also be a great option because they are able to filter the LCD and fluorescent flicker as well as the most painful wavelengths that aggravate light sensitive conditions such as post concussion syndrome.

This 24 inch Acer computer monitor gives you an affordable, quality monitor that will be great for everyday use. It has a full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution which will be easy on your eyes with clear pictures and text. In addition, it"s VESA compatible for mounting on the wall if desk space is an issue.

Have you ever had trouble falling asleep or gotten itchy eyes after a long day at the computer? As you probably know, all modern screens emit blue light, which can affect eye health and cause sleeping problems. But no need to panic! We have a few tips to help you protect your eyes and take better care of your vision.

Read on to learn more about blue light and how to protect your eyesight. Or discoverViewSonic’s broad range of monitorsdesigned with eye comfort in mind.

What is blue light? Have you noticed that your eyes get tired when you spend too much time in front of the computer? Sure you do, since you are the one who has to deal with the headaches, the super dry eyes, and even blurred vision at times.

That’s high energy visual (HEV) light ready to disrupt everyone’s sleep.  While eye fatigue and sleep trouble may be the most commonly experienced problems, many other health issues are linking to blue light exposure. That’s why, below, we’ve endeavored to outline everything you need to know regarding blue light and blue light filters.

Somewhere between the two extremes exists the very tiny fraction human eyes can detect, which is known as the visible spectrum, with wavelengths in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm. What else is measured in nanometers? Transistors! Back in 1994 and 1995, the smallest transistors were 600 nm and 350 nm, respectively. Fast forward to 2018 when the Apple A12 Bionic chip was released containing 6.9 billion transistors manufactured using a 7 nm process.

On an evolutionary scale, not long ago humans lived outdoors and were ruled by the sunrise and sunset. That’s why a blue-light-sensing protein called melanopsin exists in human eyes. The bright daylight activates melanopsin, thus synchronizing the internal clock to raise alertness, boost reaction times, and mood. However, melanopsin is less sensitive to lower energy light in the visual spectrum, which allows for the production of a sleep-inducing hormone called melatonin as the sun goes down.

Most computer screens today use a type of panel with layers of liquid crystals between pairs of filters and electrodes. These are known as LCDs, short for “Liquid Crystal Displays.” LCD panels require an external source of light to produce visible images. As such, LEDs are now the industry favorite for the task, after dethroning CCFLs due to size, efficiency, and cost.

The array of LEDs is often placed behind the panel or around the edges of the screen providing a bright light source. The most common type is referred to as white-light LEDs, and they combine the emission from a blue LED (around 450nm to 470 nm) with a yellow phosphor. This combination looks white when viewed directly and it’s the reason why so much blue light is being emitted from computer screens and other electronic devices.

To make matters worse, white-light LEDs are known to suffer from degradation over time, thereby causing an increase of blue emission. This degradation happens primarily through the bleaching of phosphors so that they no longer efficiently absorb blue light, thus leading to further eye strain.

Such options include computer screens with integrated blue light filters capable of reducing up to 87% of all blue light emissions and allowing for maximum user customization with different levels of protection and accurate RGB color balance.

You can set the filter to different levels depending on the viewing scenario. Most users prefer to max out the filter (0-25) when reading or using text-based applications, making it easy on the eyes.

Other valid alternatives, if your primary purpose is to reduce digital eye strain, include the use of third-party software such as f.lux or Iris, as well as blue light blocking eyewear. Please refer to a professional when choosing eyewear that filters or blocks blue light as these products may include magnification and specific optical centers.

Although proper eyewear seems to be most effective against the harmful effects of blue light, there are at least three aspects to consider. First of all, the price, which is heavily dependent on the quality of the lenses. Secondly,  the fit, which needs to be tight or else blue light still reaches the eye. Lastly, most blue light blocking glasses are difficult to use when overlaid against regular prescription glasses. All in all, PC monitors with built-in blue light filters present the most convenient solution when compared to these options.

Studies say blinking rates drop to one-third of normal when in front of a screen. For sure, that does not help with eye strain. With that in mind, consider the famous eye care rule called 20-20-20 according to which every 20 minutes you should focus for 20 seconds on any object 20 feet away from you. This simple exercise helps with headaches, blurred vision, double vision, and dry eyes.

Another perfectly valid way to give your eyes some well-deserved rest while staying productive during long hours in front of a computer display is using the Pomodoro Technique. This technique breaks down the day in 25-minute sprints with small breaks in-between. These breaks help the brain to process new information, and since blue light will not be received during that time, it also helps prevent digital eye strain.

Although the use of any form of the blue light filter may be helpful, one sure way to reduce digital eye strain and improve the quality of sleep is to avoid using the computer, smartphone, tablet, or TV for 30 to 60 minutes before bed. Or equip yourself with ViewSonic’s monitors with low blue light technology here.

According to The Vision Council, 65% of adults experience some form of computer vision syndrome. Often individuals associate eye strain as a “normal” part of computer work. However, the eye strain you are experiencing is a symptom of computer vision syndrome and can be reduced or avoided!

Computer vision syndrome is caused by the eyes and brain reacting to the characters on a computer screen. On-screen characters have less contrast than characters in print and are more challenging for our eyes to focus on. The difficulty of having to focus on the characters on computer screens is what causes eye fatigue and strain.

Many computer users find their eyes feel strained working under fluorescent lights. Users feel more eye comfort when using floor lamps instead of harsh overhead lights. Minimize the reflection of glare off your computer screen by installing an anti-glare screen on your monitor. Consider closing the blinds to prevent the sun from reflecting off your computer screen as well.

The type of screen and settings of your screen can also impact your eye strain. We recommend making sure you have an LCD screen because it has an anti-reflective surface and is more comfortable for the eyes.

Additionally, you can adjust the settings of your screen for optimal viewing. A few settings to adjust are the brightness, text, and color temperature. The brightness should be the same as your surrounding workstation, the text size and contrast can be changed to your comfort level, and reducing the color temperature lowers the amount of blue light emitted by your screen.

One of the best ways to reduce your risk of computer vision syndrome is to visit our office. Your eye doctor can perform a few tests to detect vision problems which could be contributing to your computer vision syndrome and help decide if computer eyewear is the solution for you. Many individuals discover computer eyewear helps reduce their symptoms and improves their productivity.

Schedule an appointment with our office to discuss the impact computer work is having on your eyes and the best ways to reduce your eye strain and fatigue.

There’s no doubt about it—the world is fully in the digital age, and humans are only becoming increasingly dependent on computers. And, while many people understand the harm these devices can cause, many adults spend up to 12 hours a day in front of a screen. These alarming statistics not only shorten our attention span and leave us feeling lonely, but they can also affect our vision.

Digital Eye Strain is a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer use. It is an exceedingly common condition. 82% of Americans work with a computer or handheld digital device every day. Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing a computer screen for extended periods, and the level of discomfort often increases with the amount of computer use. Digital Eye Strain can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam with an eye doctor.

Fortunately, symptoms of Digital Eye Strain are recognizable. However, they are frequently made worse with uncorrected vision problems, poor lighting, computer screen glare, poor posture while sitting, and an improper viewing distance from your computer screen. It can also cause discomfort in your neck and shoulders. The common Digital Eye Strain symptoms include:

Luckily, there are many ways to minimize or eliminate the effects of Digital Eye Strain. Most of the treatment ideas require minimal adjustments to your work environment, or small changes in your habits during your time in front of the computer. Here are seven ways to help alleviate eye strain symptoms caused by Digital Eye Strain:

An annual eye exam is essential to detecting and preventing vision problems early, including Digital Eye Strain. If you’re experiencing prolonged symptoms of Digital Eye Strain, schedule an eye exam near you as soon as possible to discuss treatment options with your eye doctor. During your yearly exam, your eye doctor will assess your overall eye health, address any vision concerns, and correct any refractive problems. Farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia are all types of refractive errors that make it difficult to focus on objects at near distances, including your computer screen. Your eye doctor will also evaluate eye coordination abilities and aging of the eyes, which can lead to increased visual problems when using a computer. After conducting the eye exam, your eye doctor will discuss solutions and treatment options for your eye conditions.

The computer brightness should adjust to the lighting of your room. If it’s nighttime, keep the screen dimmer, and if you’re in a bright room or office and cannot change the lighting yourself, bring the brightness on your computer or laptop to avoid straining your eyes.

Glare from the computer screen is another way that eyes can strain when sitting at the computer. Choose an anti-glare screen for your display to minimize the problems that come from reflective surfaces, bright office lights, or windows.

Even if you’ve properly adjusted the brightness on your computer, harsh overhead lighting can contribute to eye fatigue. It helps to change the lighting in the room around you if possible. Keep the lighting in the room soft and indirect so your eyes can focus on the screen.

The recommended distance for viewing computer screens is typically about 20-26 inches away from your eyes, and 4-5 inches below eye level. This will reduce eye strain while using the device.

So you’ve optimized much of your computer setup and you’re still having eye problems. What else can you do? Try limiting your computer use as much as possible, by printing documents rather than reading them on the screen, or by meeting in person rather than sending emails or using video conferencing. It’s important to give your eyes regular breaks throughout the day.

One of the common ways to reduce eye strain at the computer is by following the 20-20-20 rule, which states that you should look away from your computer every 20 minutes for 20 seconds, focusing on an object at least 20 feet away.

The hard part is remembering to follow this rule. Scheduling an automatic reminder to pop-up on your screen every 20 minutes will prompt you to take your computer break. Looking at an object at least 20 feet away allows your eyes to readjust to distance, and the 20-second period lets your eyes relax. During your 20 second break, make sure to blink a few times! This will alleviate dry eye symptoms and help improve ocular comfort by keeping the front surface of your eye moist. Having eye drops on hand for rewetting your eyes will also relieve dry or red eyes.

Be cognizant of the amount of time you’re spending on digital devices and how it’s impacting your vision and eye comfort. If your occupation involves moderate or heavy computer use, try to limit time spent on digital devices outside of work. Less computer screen time will likely result in happier, healthier eyes.

If you spend long periods of time in front of a screen, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of Digital Eye Strain. You can prevent long-term damage to your eyes by following our above tips and receiving regular eye exams. Your eyes deserve the care and attention you give the rest of your physical health, and they’ll reward you with clear vision if you take the time to treat them well. Schedule an eye exam with your local eye doctor today!