Table of Contents
Index
Display
Your display is another component that plays an important role. Your
display should be high enough (or you, low enough) so that your eyes
are level with the top edge of the screen’s image. Additionally, the
display should swivel to help you get rid of annoying reflections. Sit
at least 2 feet away from your screen.
Eliminate the source of the reflections. Position your display away
from bright light. This will reduce the amount of light that is
reflected from the screen. To reduce glare, overhead light should radi-
ate from 50 to 90 degrees directly over your screen. Baffle light from
other sources. Choose a display that's sharp enough to read without
straining your eyes, and one that's bright enough to match the ambient
lighting.
Operate your display only at a comfortable brightness. Do not adjust
the brightness to its maximum setting for continuous operation. Run-
ning your display with the external-brightness adjustment at its
maximum setting, especially when new, will result in an image that
will eventually appear less clear. It will also reduce the overall life of
your display.
Lighting
Generally, the light coming from the display itself should match the
brightness of the ambient lighting: a screen that's too dim or too
bright can cause eyestrain. You should try to avoid glare and bright
spots, which can also cause eyestrain and headaches. In some cases,
however, these symptoms may simply mean that you need new glasses
or contact lenses.
If your overhead or other lights are too bright and are causing reflec-
tions or are overpowering your display, you can solve the problem
inexpensively by making a shield for your display, wearing a baseball
cap or eye shade, or changing the angle of the light. If your office has
fluorescent lighting, try removing one or two bulbs from the fixture
directly over your work area.
If your work space has an outside window, make sure the window is
not in front of or behind the display screen. Daylight will overcome
the display, making the screen hard to read and increasing your
chance of eyestrain. Placing the display screen at a 90-degree angle
from the window is the best choice.
