Every computer monitor made nowadays boast of TFT technology, which is considered safer than the CRT computer monitor that was once the mainstay just half a decade ago. Computer monitor that does not have the inherent protection of TFT technology are considered unsafe for users who are used to sitting long hours before their computer monitors.
If you bought a computer monitor recently, you do not need to worry much about the negative repercussions on your ocular health. CRT monitor users should however take a few extra steps from preventing damage to their eyes.
1. Keep the monitor at a safe distance: It is important to keep the monitor at a safe distance. Experts say 20 inches is good enough to protect the eye from the glaring gamma radiation emitted by old computer monitors. Even if you use a modern TFT screen, there are no downsides to placing it 20 inches away from your eyes. Not only will this protect you from the bright glares, but also greatly improve your posture. It is also considered safer to use protective eye gear, but if you do not have any of those, maintaining the appropriate distance might be the only way of protecting your eyes.
2. Proper levelling of the screen: Just as your distance from the screen, it is also important to place the laptop at a correct level. Ideally, the top of the screen should be 3 inches below the level of the eye, but that is easier said than done. The aim of maintaining the correct level is to prevent the eye from fatiguing due to extensive movement from one edge to another. Having the monitor little lower than the eye also makes images look better and sharper.
3. Proper lighting in the room: Just as brightness of the screen, the ambient lighting in the room is also important. Have glossy reflective working surfaces replaced with matte or non-reflective ones. Bright light sources opposite to the screen can cause disturbing reflections on the screen and increase the difficultly level in reading the content on the screen. Increasing the screen brightness can be a temporary solution to the problem, but that could also strain the eye due to excessive brightness. Ideally, you should eliminate all distractions from around the computer monitor and also behind it.
Besides following these very simple tips, you should also remind yourself to walk away from the screen after regular intervals of 5 or 10 minutes. Ophthalmologists advise rapid blinking of the eye to prevent dryness and irritation caused due to dryness. Finally, if you suffer from common eye fatigue symptoms due to long hours in front of the computer monitor, consider consulting an eye specialist at the earliest.
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