IS YOUR COMPUTER "USER FRIENDLY" TO YOUR EYES & VISION

You may have a computer at home or at work, and you may feel that you know how to use it to its fullest extent. But do you know how to get the most out of your vision while using your computer?
Here are some tips to make computer use easier on your eyes:

• Take a 15-minute break every hour or two, depending on how hard you're working.
  
• Use indirect lighting.
• Make sure the computer screen is three to four times brighter than the room light.
• Keep computer screens away from windows and other sources of bright light.
• Use shades or drapes to block out bright sunlight and use an anti-glare screen if needed.
  
• Use an adjustable chair so you can sit at the proper angle and distance from your computer screen. The screen should be about 14 to 20 inches from your eyes, with the top of the screen just below eye level.
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• Select computer equipment with a screen that swivels or tilts, a detachable keyboard and both contrast and brightness controls for the screen.
  
• Use an adjustable holder to place reference material close to your screen and within the same viewing distance so you don't have to make large eye and head movements.

One of the best things you can do to make computer use less demanding on your eyes is to make sure your vision is up to par with a thorough eye exam once a year. Certain vision conditions make using a computer more difficult. However, most of these conditions can be treated with prescription lenses or vision therapy.