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Most Americans Experience Digital Eye Strain from Overexposure to Computers

July 11, 2016
The American Optometric Association offers five simple steps to relieve digital eye strain at work.

The average U.S. worker spends seven hours a day on the computer either in the office or working from home and the American Optometric Association's (AOA) American Eye-Q® survey reports that 58 percent of adults have experienced digital eye strain or vision problems as a direct result.

Symptoms of digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes and neck and shoulder pain. The AOA recognizes the need to address this issue, encouraging both employees and employers to make eye health a priority. The five tips below easily can be implemented in most office spaces:

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Take a 20-second break, every 20 minutes and view something 20 feet away.

Keep a distance: The AOA recommends sitting a comfortable distance from the computer monitor where you can easily read all text with your head and torso in an upright posture and your back supported by your chair. Generally, the preferred viewing distance is between 20 and 28 inches from the eye to the front surface of the screen.

View from a different angle: Ideally, the computer screen should be 15 to 20 degrees, or about 4 to 5 inches, below eye level as measured from the center of the screen.

Decrease glare: While there is no way to completely minimize glare from light sources, consider using a glare filter. These filters decrease the amount of light reflected from the screen.

Blink often: Minimize your chances of developing dry eyes when using a computer by making an effort to blink frequently.

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EHS Today is an IndustryWeek companion site within Penton's Manufacturing & Supply Chain Group.


About the Author

Sandy Smith | Editor-in-Chief

Sandy Smith is editor-in-chief of EHS Today, a Penton publication. She has been writing about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990. She has been interviewed about occupational safety and health for documentaries and television programs, has served as a panelist on roundtables, has provided the keynote address for occupational safety and health conferences and has won national and international awards for her articles.

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