Eye Vision Test

Eye Exercises to reduce eye strain

blogaboutadsense@yahoo.com (Don) — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:10:00 +0000

How often do you exercise or give your eyes a rest when you're working long hours at a computer? Its a simple and quick routine, that can be performed in a matter of minutes.

Of the 100 million people using computers in the United States today, at least 50% of users experienced computer related eye strain, blurred vision, headaches -- all of which can be attributed to prolonged periods in front of a computer screen with little or no rest breaks in between.

Recent reports indicate that heavy users can even be at risk of glaucoma (insert def/link). Pretty worrying stuff, especially when you consider that 10-15 years ago, this would not have been a big issues. Its really only with the proliferation of technology and computer work use becoming ommon-place that has seen this rising phenomonen (spell?)
Lets have a quick look at some of the ways you can reduce the risks of eye strain and related injuries. We'll move on to more specific eye exercises later in the article.

1. Get your eyes tested. Get an eye exam regularly. At least annually is recommended, and experts suggest taking these tests even before you start working at a computer.

2. Monitor Ergonomics. Make sure your monitor is ergonomically positioned. This will ensure your eyes are not working harder by viewing the computer screen at an angle.

A general rule of thumb is that your monitor should be at least 20" away from your eyes. This can vary from person to person, depending on your sight. Usually its said, that further away is better for the eyes. Two factors that can affect the comfortable distance and contribute to eye strain are Accomodation (not the living type) and Convergence.

Accommodation is when the lens capsule in your eye changes shape to focus on a close object.

Convergence is when the eyes turn inward toward the nose when we view close objects. Convergence allows the image of the objects to be projected to the same relative place on each retina. Without accurate convergence, we see double images.
http://www.office-ergo.com/viewing.htm

3. Lighting. Ensure the room or office where you work is adequately lit but not too harshly lit - fluoroescent tubes and artificial lighting can affect eye strain. Try reducing the number of globes or use softer lights. The best position for your monitor, is not directly in front or behind external windows.

4. Get a new monitor. These days, LCD or flat panel monitor displays are vastly superior in terms of viewing and monitor settings. They are much easier on the eye, especially for prolonged periods of computer work. The CRT (cathoter ray tube) monitors often have an imperceptible flicker.
Try adjusting the refresh rate on your CRT monitor to the maximum Htz level recommended. This will produce a much clearer picture display. When you are shopping for an LCD monitor, get the highest resolution that you can afford.
A lot of the wide-screen, high definition LCD screens have multiple resolution and size settings.

5. Eye Exercises. Perform regular exercises, and take a short break at least once an hour (more frequently if possible). Move your eyeballs upwards for a few seconds, then down for a few seconds, to the right, to the left. Then focus your eyes on a spot in the distance, preferably a line of text and read from start to finish. This will vary the direction and movement of your eyes. There are computer programs/software that alert to you eye breaks and eye exercises throughout your work day. You can find these free programs and eye exercises here and here.

http://www.duodimension.com/eye_care_health_computer/eye_exercises.aspx

http://www.sharewareconnection.com/eye-exercises.htm

http://www.eye-exercises-for-good-vision.com/eye-relaxationexercises.html

http://www.visionworksusa.com/computereyestrain.htm

6. Adjust monitor brightness/contrast/temperature. You can perform diagnostic tests, to increase or reduce the white (brightness) or black (contrast) settings. Increase your brightness/contrast settings up or down by using the button controls on the front or bottom of your monitor. I find it helpful to take note of the current settings before you make any changes, that way if you make a mistake or you're not happy with the altered result you can always go back to the previous settings.

There is also another setting you can adjust, depending on what you use a computer screen to view. There is a setting called Kelvin, which basically controls/calibrated the temperature or heat/cool settings of the monitor. Different ratings are better for different types of viewing. Some people recommend different setting for text, internet, entertainment. Anyhow, the three main Kelvin ratings are:

9300 - Usually the factory setting. This tends to be fairly bright, with often a slight blueish hue

6500 - Recommended for every day work, a lot warmer

5000 - Often too dull, especially on older monitors. Can appear yellowy sometimes

http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1A.html
http://www.eddietapp.com/PDFs/MonitorCS.pdf

7. Blink and Blink regularly. Its important to blink often when you work in front of a computer. The eyes tend to dry out quickly, especially when looking at a screen for long periods.
Often office air-conditioning can play a part also. You can get eye drops, that will help keep your eyes moist. Alternatively, try slowly blinking every 20 minutes to re-wet your eyes.

8. Take breaks from the computer. Walk around the office, talk to your colleagues, get a glass of water/tea/coffee. Take a toilet or cigarette break. Give your eyes a rest and something else to focus on - even if just for a few minutes.

Links
http://www.office-ergo.com/viewing.htm

http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/irritated.htm

http://www.safecomputingtips.com/ergonomic-monitor.html

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Where to buy cheap Designer Glasses online

blogaboutadsense@yahoo.com (Don) — Mon, 25 May 2009 05:13:00 +0000

Would you like to know where to find cheap glasses on-line. Its true that you can save big bucks, by purchasing on-line. So long as you have a copy of your prescription, all you need is a credit card and a sharp eye for a good bargain.

Lets have a quick look at the Pros and Cons first.

Pro's.

Save money on frames and lens
Get designer frames for a fraction of the store price
Warranty (12 months from most online shops)

Cons.
Delivery times can be longer (eg 3-4 weeks) than physical store turnaround times
You can't walk into the store with a problem, rely on post/online methods/communications
Some of the fake products can be of a lower quality.

Below are some popular on-line eye glasses and designer shade stores.

United States and Canada

http://www.glassescrafter.com/
Cheap, good range. They are cheap because their glasses are made in Shanghai - which is apparently where 90% of the worlds glasses are made (including Rayban, Oakley, Gucci).

http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com/
This blogger, began his pursuits after a successful online purchase of eyeglasses, since then he is pointing on-line consumers in the right direction to get a good pair of glasses at a bargain price, basically for the little guy and he is anti big business...as the big optical players screw customers with big mark-ups...its a pretty well written site. Obviously he has struck a chord with many. You should have a look at a comment he received from a retired optician who elaborates on the actual price they pay for frames when they buy in bulk. Its quite astounding.

http://www.39dollarglasses.com/
This on-line company is based in New York. They have a quality guarantee, whereby you can change your lens into a new frame for free (and no additional shipping cost). They offer a 6 month warranty on all their glasses

Australia

http://www.ausspecs.com.au/

http://www.glassesonline.com.au/

http://www.stingyspecs.com.au/

http://www.specsavers.com.au/

http://www.opticaldirect.com.au/

http://www.visiondirect.com.au/

England (UK) and Wales

http://www.daisyeyewear.com/

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A week of wearing glasses

blogaboutadsense@yahoo.com (Don) — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:08:00 +0000

Its now been a little over a week since i picked up and started my new set of glasses.

In hindsight i probably wish i hadn't been stingy with myself when choosing the frames (a simple, black, rectangular, spectacle), but at the time in the shop with the optometrist i found it hard to justify paying extra for the fashionable look. Especially, when it comes down to it - glasses are simply there to serve a practical purpose, and the priority was to get eyesight back to comfort levels

Anyway, getting back to the subject.

I've been gradually easing my eyes into using the glasses. Where i find the main benefit, is reading books at night. There is a remarkable improvement in the clarity of letters and text. Its also a lot less eye strain, you can feel your eyes not having to work as hard, which is great - i think.

Occasionally, i will wear them at work, just depends how much computer work involved and how the eyes are feeling on the day.

All in all, much happier, much comfortably. They're not a super strong prescription (see previous post), just enough to help. The eyes and muscles don't need to work as hard. The optometrist explained it as being that my eyes start off wider and out of focus than normal, and have a further distance to focus or come in closer. Sort of makes sense; it certainly does when you start seeing double while reading (pre-glasses)

Next pair, i may even treat myself to designer frames, especially if i can find discount frames on-line or copycat brands perhaps. I've found several places that do cheap, nice frames and prescription lens on-line and will do a future post on these.

First Time using Glasses

blogaboutadsense@yahoo.com (Don) — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:34:00 +0000

Well, i've just picked up my new set of glasses from the optometrist and am trying them for the first time (outside the optometrists office that is) this afternoon.

It is unbelievably clearer and easier to read, write, computer etc etc. Its almost overwhelmingly clearer, almost a bit dizzy, i just hope they're not too strong.

The optometrist recommended gradually using them more and more, so as the eyes don't get lazy and get used to them slowly.

Its a new and strange feeling, though in a good way. The computer is clearer, and with less reflection and glare, though that could be just the prism (?) or non-reflective lenses....

For those of you in this situation or thinking about getting your eyes checked - go and do it - at least you'll know whats needed if anything, best case you won't need any eye glasses/contacts.

Always get a second opinion if you have any doubts, or suspect you might be getting ripped off by an oversealous eyewear salesman.

I've attached a copy of the glasses prescription to give you an example of what it looks like. Always get a copy, so if you need to get second or spare pair of glasses further on, you can do so cheaply and with ease (over the internet etc)

Eye Vision Test - Privacy Policy

blogaboutadsense@yahoo.com (Don) — Mon, 11 May 2009 06:04:00 +0000

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Getting your eyes tested

blogaboutadsense@yahoo.com (Don) — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:12:00 +0000

Eyes and free eye tests.

Recently, perhaps over the last 3 months, i've had difficulties reading or computer work, my eyes would feel tired and strained, and often i'd need to close one eye to feel comfortable. Plus after hours in front of a computer, my right eye would often become very tired and sore...yes i do the eye exercises and rest regularly (every 30 mins i take an eye break).

So i found myself booking an appointment with a local optemetrist. Very helpful and thorough, he had all the College Degree's on the wall, which was re-assuring i must say, even though i'm usually not that near-sighted (pun intended). Eyes are important to me, they're one of the five senses i could not live without.

Anyhow, if you feel you're having problems, get on to it early...its not that your eyes will deteroriate - no more than is natural with age of course. I think this is a myth, that glasses do all the work for your eyes, and your eyes get lazy and don't see as well without glasses.

Go to your optometrist, they will test your eyes for free if you are an Australian resident with Medicare. It doesn't necessarily mean you need glasses or contacts.

I had noticed over the last few months especially, my right eye was starting to ache, especially after computer work and reading at night (optometrists refer to this as close work - it includes reading, study, computer work).

It got to the point, where i was actually covering (or closing) my right eye, to make my left eye read more comfortable, and without seeing double.

Now, apparently my eyes are healthy, my problem is whats called a muscle imbalance. This is something people are born with, and it usually presents in adolescence or teenage years. It gets worse when you are tired, stressed, or miss out on sleep. The eyes have to work much harder under these conditions, and this is when you usually notice it more.

So i went through the tests, look up, look down. Read the third line, read the third line with one eye covered and reverse. I had my eyes tested with what they call a Ophthalmoscope (see definition)

I had my pupillary (pupil) reactions tested. Now apparently my eyes and sight are perfectly healthy...well why do they get sore and achy.

The best part was probably when he opened his optometrist case, and took out the prescription lenses, and asked me to read a passage of text with and without the lenses on my eyes...wow - the difference was amazing - so much clearer and ease, my eyes were actually relaxed and still comfortable reading. You don't realise how much you've been putting up with discomfort, until a better alternative is shown to you.

So, short end of stick, glasses it is for me. Just for close work (computers, reading, study etc), though the guy said you can wear them all the time if you feel like it, movies, driving, anything where you need to see or focus on detail.

I will let you know how the glasses go, for those of you who may be sitting on the fence...let me be your guinea pig...

Remember, if you go to see the optometrist and for whatever reason you're not satisfied or the problem/s with your eyes/sight persist, go to see an opthamologist, or an eye specialist - they will conduct extensive tests beyond what an optometrist does, to get to the root cause of your eye problem.

Cheers