Nearly 75 million Americans spend many hours a day working in front of a computer.  Over 50 percent report some form of eye strain, including eye fatigue, dry eyes, burning eyes, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and headaches as well as pain in the shoulder, neck or back.

If you are one of those suffering from computer eyestrain, here are some steps to take to protect your eyes and reduce eyestrain:

• Have your eyes examined annually by an eye doctor.  If you wear glasses, consider a pair of glasses specifically designed for computer use. Also consider glare coating on your lenses .
• Select a computer monitor with a larger and flat screen.
• Place your screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and the top of the screen at or a little below eye level.  The monitor distance should allow you to read the screen without leaning your head, neck, or trunk forward or backward.  Adjust text size as needed for ease in reading .
• To reduce glare, place your monitor perpendicular to a window, adjust or add window blinds, and reduce interior lighting to lower glare and reflections.  Use a task light that shines only on your paper .
• Use an antiglare screen on your computer .
• Take a vision break every 20 minutes or so and look at an object 20 feet or more away to relax your eye muscles .
• Blink your eyes regularly and more often to rewet your eyes and avoid dryness and irritation.  Use artificial tears if needed to lubricate your eyes.
• Use a document holder placed next to your computer screen so you do not have to turn your head back and forth or constantly refocus your eyes.
• Alternate your computer work with non-computer tasks to give your eyes a rest.

Sources:  Prevent Blindness America, www.preventblindness.org; Occupational Safety & Health Administration, www.osha.gov; National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, www.cdc.gov/niosh/.