Reading glasses are not recommended for working on a computer.
Too Much Use?
You may be part of a growing number of Americans suffering from too much computer use. If you are experiencing eye strain or other visual problems due to prolonged computer use, you may want to rearrange your work environment for better ergonomics and/or invest in a good pair of computer glasses.
Headaches or Pain?
If you are getting headaches and you have neck and shoulder pain, try placing your monitor directly in front of you between 20 to 25 inches away.
Next, make sure that the center of the screen is between 4 to 9 inches below when you look straight ahead. You may need to adjust your chair or monitor.
Optimal Position
Remember, your arms should be parallel to the floor when you type and your feet should be flat on the floor.
Good posture is also important, keep your shoulders back and sit up straight. If these changes don't give you some relief, then you should schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor for computer glasses.
Computer Vision Syndrome
If you are experiencing more than eye strain and headaches, you could have Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Symptoms attributed to CVS include: loss of focus, double and blurred vision, dry eyes and eye irritation (while sitting at the computer or right after using a computer).
Computer Glasses
Computer glasses are prescribed specifically to reduce or eliminate eye strain and eye fatigue associated from sitting at a computer.
If you wear glasses to begin with, they still won't help when it comes to computers.
Which glasses?
Here is the reason why. When you work at a computer positioned at 20 to 25 inches from your eyes, which is considered the 'intermediate zone' it is between what your glasses correct. So your prescribed glasses are either correcting your distance vision, near vision and those 40+ receive a little intermediate vision, but none of these corrected lenses is enough for computer work.
Computer lenses are for when you use the computer and should not be used for driving or general purpose wear.
Your eye doctor can help you decide which lens design will best suit your needs.
A Lens Design for You
There are a number of lens designs that work well for computer glasses, such as: single vision lenses with a modified lens power; occupational progressive lens which includes a larger intermediate zone; lined trifocal; and occupational bifocal, the top part of lens for intermediate zone and the bottom part of the lens for the near zone. Computer lenses are also available in clip-ons.
Another consideration when selecting computer glasses is the type of lighting you use when working on a computer.
Do you work in a bright office?
Anti-reflective coating on your lenses can significantly reduce the amount of glare and reflected light that reaches your eyes from bright office lighting. You may benefit from ultraviolet absorbing coating or an amber tint to cut down on the amount of blue light that fluorescent lights emit.
Find a Doctor
Click here to find a doctor specializing in computer vision correction.