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Laboratorians can’t do their jobs if they’re not sharp-eyed. Here’s some help.

Lab Safety Advisor, September 14, 2005

If you have sore, dry eyes, it could be that you're wearing prescription eyewear not designed to be worn when you're using the computer. Eyeglasses specially created for those working with computers can make a world of difference. They can make working at the terminal more comfortable, they can correct blurred vision, and they can relieve eyestrain and burning.

There are a few ways to relieve strain when at the computer:

1. Blink your eyes more often. Many people blink their eyes two-thirds less often then usual when looking at a computer. Making a conscious effort to blink more often can help avoid dry and irritated eyes.

2. Get eyeglasses with large lenses. Most people wear glasses or contact lenses that do not correct the intermediate zone at all. Reading glasses correct near vision only and bifocals correct only near and far vision. Even lenses that do correct the intermediate zone, such as trifocals and progressive lenses, have only a small portion for the intermediate area, not nearly large enough for comfortable computer work.

3. Be more aware of how you are holding your body. If you don't have the right eyeglasses, you may try to compensate for blurred vision by leaning forward or by tipping your heads back to look through the bottom portion of their glasses. Both of these actions can result in sore necks, shoulders or backs.

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