With modern technology more and more people become dependent on computers in businesses as well as in the home. With this comes its related problems. An increasing number of people are seeking medical attention for eyestrain and irritation as well as back, neck, shoulder and wrist pain. There is so much software specifically for children that it is even more important for eye examinations for all age groups.

The eyes need to work harder to keep images in focus on the computer screen as letters consist of many dots rather than a solid line.

Some of the problems that may be experienced by people working on computers:

* Blurred vision at close range.

* Difficulty focusing from near to far and vice versa.

* Sore, irritated eyes.

* Dry eyes.

* Burning or red eyes.

* Tiredness of the eyes.

* Headaches.

* Contact lenses do not feel comfortable.

* Pain in the neck, shoulders and back.

* Colour distortion.

It is important to have a visual examination at an optometrist, as he or she will perform all the necessary tests to assist in solving your eye-related problem. It is also important to inform him/her that you work on the computer so that he/she is aware of this and takes this into consideration during the visual examination. You need to wear the correct prescription for use with a computer.

Patients who need to wear bifocals might have problems, as they need to adjust the position of their head to a position that is uncomfortable, ie move the head back in order to look through the reading portion. A multifocal could be prescribed, which is designed for computer use. Your optometrist will determine the glasses that best suit your particular needs.

Those people presently wearing spectacles should consider having their eyes re-examined if they have a persistent problem when using the computer. Patients wearing bifocals might find that they experience neck pain because of having to lift their head back in order to see through the reading portion. These patients should consider a different type of lens. Discuss the problem with your optometrist and he/she will assist in providing other possibilities.

Some tips

* You need to blink frequently. One often forgets to blink when concentrating. You need to use eye drops for dry eye if frequent blinking does not seem to help.

* It is important to take regular breaks. By this I mean, look at something in the distance, as this will relax the eye's focusing mechanism and reduce eyestrain. Focus on an object 6 to 12 m away every 30 minutes for 10 to 30 seconds.

* It is important to ensure that you are sitting at the correct distance from the computer monitor, which is arm's length, plus 8 cm from the fingertips for screens of 43 cm or less. Larger screens could be 18 to 20 cm from the fingertips. The monitor should be slightly below eye level. This keeps the neck at a natural position and reduces pain and tiredness.

* There should not be any glare or reflections on the monitor. There are special screens available to be placed on the monitor to reduce glare. If you are using a computer near a window, the sun should not shine directly on the computer screen. To prevent glare place the monitor in front of a window with its back facing the window. Overhead lighting is best for the computer.

* Posture is important to reduce pain and tiredness. Try to keep the wrists straight when typing. Do not bend the wrists up or down. The wrist should not rest on the wrist rest whilst typing. The wrists would then be in an unnatural position resulting in fatigue and pain. The shoulders and arms should be relaxed with elbows at a 90° angle to the body. Sit up straight and rest your feet on the floor. The mouse and the keyboard should be at the same level and as close to you as possible. The mouse should be on the left or right of the keyboard. Sit on an adjustable chair with a backrest. The back of the chair should support your lower back.

Children should be monitored when using the computer and a time limit should be set to prevent them from spending hours on the computer. They should also be encouraged to take breaks every 30 minutes after which they should be encouraged to be involved in activities that require distance vision.

It is also important to note that most people often use the same chair and desk for adults as well as children. If this is the case, then adjustable chairs should be used so that the height of the chair can be adjusted to be more comfortable for the child. If his/her legs are dangling, then he should rest them on a book or something so that his/her feet are flat. It should be possible to raise or lower the chair as needed and locked in the required position.

For more information contact SA Optometric Association, 011 805 4517.