Office workers have their share of work-related hazards. People who use video display terminals (VDTs) may often complain of eyestrain, pain, stiffness in their backs and shoulders, and stress. These complaints can be a result of:
- Using a VDT for long time periods.
- Improper positioning of the VDT.
- Poor lighting.
- Poor posture.
- Tight deadlines.
VDT users can protect themselves from the physical problems that go with using them with the Self-Care Tips listed in the next column.
Self-Care Tips
To prevent eyestrain:
- Reduce glare. Keep the VDT away from you and at right angles to a window. Turn off or shield overhead lights. Wear a visor to block overhead lights if necessary.
- Place your paperwork close enough that you don’t have to keep refocusing when switching from the screen to the paper. Use a paper document holder placed at the same height as the VDT screen.
- Place the screen so that your line of sight is 10 to 15 degrees (about one-third of a 45-degree angle) below horizontal.
- Dust off the screen often.
- Blink often to keep your eyes from getting dry. Use “artificial tear” eye drops if needed.
- Tell your eye specialist that you use a VDT. Glasses and contacts worn for other activities may not be good for work on a VDT. (With bifocals, the near vision part of the lens is good for looking down, as when you read, but not straight ahead, as you do when looking at a video display screen. So you may need single-vision lenses for VDT work).
- If the image on the VDT screen is blurred, dull, or flickers, have it serviced right away.
- Try to keep the VDT screen two feet away from your eyes.
To prevent muscle tension when you work on a VDT:
- Use a chair that supports your back and can be easily adjusted to a height that feels right for you.
- Take a 15 minute break if you can, for every 2 hours you use a VDT. Get up and go for a short walk for example.
- Do stretching exercises of the neck, shoulder, and lower back every 1 to 2 hours.
- Rotate your head in a circular motion, first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
- Shrug your shoulders up, down, backward, and forward.
- While standing or sitting, bend at the waist, leaning first to the left, then to the right.
- Rotate your head in a circular motion, first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
Questions to Ask
Do you still have eye strain, pain and stiffness in back and shoulders despite using Self-Care Tips provided? |  |
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