Vision problems Thread poster: Lori Cirefice
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What measures do you take to protect your eyesight? I would be interested in hearing about your experience. I suppose I'm not the only one who spends long hours staring at my computer screen every day and has experienced vision problems due to my working conditions.
I recently went to the eye doctor, expecting to get a new prescription for my glasses (myopia and astigmatism) because I had been noticing blurry vision - and as it turns out, other issues that I only realized were rela... See more What measures do you take to protect your eyesight? I would be interested in hearing about your experience. I suppose I'm not the only one who spends long hours staring at my computer screen every day and has experienced vision problems due to my working conditions.
I recently went to the eye doctor, expecting to get a new prescription for my glasses (myopia and astigmatism) because I had been noticing blurry vision - and as it turns out, other issues that I only realized were related to my eyes later! It turns out I have a problem with eye muscle weakness that causes double vision, and in fact my prescription didn't change. So I will be going back for "orthoptics" on a regular basis, starting later this week. My doctor said this problem should be easily corrected, apparently my case is not too severe, but that it's due to working on the computer too much.
So now I understand the headaches, neck pain, eye strain and night driving issues that I was experiencing, and so far my doctor gave me a few prevention tips such as adjusting the chair height so that I am looking down at my screen (not looking up), and moving my desk so that I won't be facing the window anymore. Having the window directly behind the desk is even worse apparently, so I will be moving furniture around this weekend so that the window will be to my left, on the far side of my office.
I'm planning to invest in a new computer in the next few weeks, so I would be particularly interested in any tips on anti-glare monitors, would you recommend them?
Anything else you would recommend to prevent vision problems? ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ana Malovrh 
Slovenia
Local time: 05:11
German to Slovenian
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Hi Lori,
the best position of your desk is to have the window on your left or on your right.
I found my 22" LED monitor quite pleasant for my eyes. The size matters, when it comes to monitors as well.
Make sure you have good lighting also (never from your back or front, always from the side or above your head), preferably use light bulbs that simulate daylight.
| | | | | Been there, done that | Jul 3, 2012 |
Especially in my formative years working on a laptop, I got the most terrible neckaches and headaches, not to mention eye problems.
Besides zooming in on the various views that you are working on, a good tip that I can share with you is to print. What hurts the eyes most is dragging them across the page to read, not watching the cursor as you type or reading small segments of text. So whenever you need to read a page or more, print it out.
Personally, when I got into tr... See more Especially in my formative years working on a laptop, I got the most terrible neckaches and headaches, not to mention eye problems.
Besides zooming in on the various views that you are working on, a good tip that I can share with you is to print. What hurts the eyes most is dragging them across the page to read, not watching the cursor as you type or reading small segments of text. So whenever you need to read a page or more, print it out.
Personally, when I got into translating full-time, I invested in a fast printer that prints on both sides of the page, and now I print the source and target texts of every document I translate. (I try to recycle and keep down on paper waste, and was happy to learn that the cartridges of the brand of printers that I bought are recycled free of charge – you just send the old one in a pouch that is provided with the replacement. It's not a perfect solution for the environment but it's something.)
Printing makes proofreading easy on the eyes and has other advantages. For one, it gives me a nice change of scenery, as I can proofread elsewhere: in the garden, in a pool lounger or at a restaurant. It also makes the work eminently portable: I have even been known to take proofreading with me to waiting rooms to make the most of "lost" time. And importantly, it gives you a different perspective on the work, one that is fitting for text to be read on a printed page. ▲ Collapse
| | | | mohanv
India
Local time: 08:41
French to English
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verslanglais wrote:
I invested in a fast printer that prints on both sides of the page, and now I print the source and target texts of every document I translate. (I try to recycle and keep down on paper waste, and was happy to learn that the cartridges of the brand of printers that I bought are recycled free of charge – you just send the old one in a pouch that is provided with the replacement. It's not a perfect solution for the environment but it's something.)
Can you give us the name of this printer (or send it to me personally if not supposed to mention it on the forum)??
Best,
Kate
| | | | | Done, Katherine! | Aug 6, 2012 |
I'm not sure if I should be promoting a brand name here, but have done so by email.
| | | | LEXpert
United States
Local time: 22:11
Member (2008)
Croatian to English
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| Question about desk placement vs. window | Aug 6, 2012 |
Lori,
Did the doctor explain why it was bad to have the desk facing the window? I'm very interested in that point, as I am currently reorganizing my workspace and trying to decide whether to place the desk toward the wall or facing the window (but not right underneath it, perhaps in the center of the room about 2m away).
| | | | | A question of contrast | Aug 6, 2012 |
Rudolf Vedo CT wrote:
Lori,
Did the doctor explain why it was bad to have the desk facing the window? I'm very interested in that point, as I am currently reorganizing my workspace and trying to decide whether to place the desk toward the wall or facing the window (but not right underneath it, perhaps in the center of the room about 2m away).
Your eyes (pupils) adjust primarily to the level of light where you focus, but if the surroundings are brighter, as when facing the window, then you will be dazzled by the glare, or else the area where you focus will be too dark to read while your pupils contract to reduce the glare.
I am not sure why it is so uncomfortable when the screen is far brighter than the surroundings, but a strong contrast can be extremely tiring either way. Probably the pupil tries to admit more light, and then the intensity of light from the screen is not optimal.
I have to draw the curtains for an hour or two when the sun shines directly in through the window, even from the side.
Proofreading on paper and changing your position are both good ways of protecting your eyes. Not to mention simply going out for some fresh air and focusing on the sky and long-distance objects!
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