While video games and computer screens do not cause glaucoma or other eye diseases, sitting in front of a computer for long periods forces the eyes to work harder and can cause eye strain, eye fatigue, blurred vision, dry eye and other problems. In fact, these symptoms contribute to what is now called computer vision syndrome.
But the good news is that computer monitors and video screens are easier on the eyes than they used to be. They have better resolution that offers greater clarity and usually improved comfort. Adjust the resolution to the highest level possible and try increasing the font size to compensate. Adjust the contrast and brightness as well so that letters are easily read.
Some other tips when seated at your computer:
• Look at a distant object every five minutes.
• Ask your doctor about reading glasses designed for computer use.
• Minimize reflected glare on your monitor by using window treatments, dimmers and glare reduction filters, and by positioning your monitor perpendicular to bright light sources.
While handheld electronic devices with smaller screens pose difficulties for people with low vision, there are some encouraging reports here as well. The iPhone, for example, has resolution screens, multiple magnification capabilities and voice commands. And there are magnifying devices on the market, designed specifically to help people with low vision see the small screens on a cell phone, smartphone, PDA, iPod or GPS unit – reducing eye strain and enabling clearer screen viewing and easier text messaging.
But the good news is that computer monitors and video screens are easier on the eyes than they used to be. They have better resolution that offers greater clarity and usually improved comfort. Adjust the resolution to the highest level possible and try increasing the font size to compensate. Adjust the contrast and brightness as well so that letters are easily read.
Some other tips when seated at your computer:
• Look at a distant object every five minutes.
• Ask your doctor about reading glasses designed for computer use.
• Minimize reflected glare on your monitor by using window treatments, dimmers and glare reduction filters, and by positioning your monitor perpendicular to bright light sources.
While handheld electronic devices with smaller screens pose difficulties for people with low vision, there are some encouraging reports here as well. The iPhone, for example, has resolution screens, multiple magnification capabilities and voice commands. And there are magnifying devices on the market, designed specifically to help people with low vision see the small screens on a cell phone, smartphone, PDA, iPod or GPS unit – reducing eye strain and enabling clearer screen viewing and easier text messaging.
The newest models of electronic devices for downloading books, such as the Kindle, also hold promise for people who have glaucoma. Some come with a high resolution screen with very high-contrast letters, the capacity to increase the size of the print of the book you are reading and the spacing between lines. Some models also have a text to speech option, so it can read to you. To date, these options are only applicable for the book content itself and not for general text on the device, for instance the text about selecting and ordering a book.
We’ll follow up with reports on new advances as we learn about them.