| Incorrect setup of your computer monitor screen | | | | )Computer monitor should not be placed above or |
| can harm your health. This article explains the | | | | on top of other equipment like a CPU (central |
| basics of correct computer screen set up. If you | | | | processing unit) or a surge protector. The screen |
| use PCs, you are staring at that PC screen a lot. | | | | would be then higher than your eyes. That might |
| Therefore you need a correct screen setup as | | | | well increase strain on your eyes, neck, and back. |
| soon as possible, or your eyes, neck shoulders | | | | If your work is chiefly involved with printed |
| and the rest of your body will suffer. | | | | matter, it is better to place the computer monitor |
| The trend in computer screens is to replace the | | | | a little to the side, with the documents on a stand |
| box type computer monitor with a flat screen , | | | | just in front of you. There should not be too |
| saving weight space and power. | | | | much distance between the monitor and the |
| However all the following tips apply equally to both | | | | printed matter. |
| types. | | | | The screen should be placed at right angles to |
| Suitable positioning of your monitor screen will cut | | | | windows, so avoiding irritating reflections. |
| back on unwanted exertion, and bad positioning, | | | | The ideal screen position is to have it directly in |
| plus other possible health problems like exhaustion, | | | | front of you. But, if that is not possible, the |
| eyestrain and related disorders like itching and | | | | maximum ’offcentering’ |
| styes. | | | | recommended is 35 degrees to the left or right. |
| Eyestrain, neck and back pain can be considerably | | | | If your work is chiefly involved with printed |
| reduced by proper selection of the monitor (or | | | | matter, it is better to place the computer monitor |
| flat screen). The screen should be positioned in | | | | a little to the side, with the documents on a stand |
| proper relation to other components like the | | | | just in front of you. There should not be too |
| keyboard, desk, and chair. | | | | much distance between the screen and any |
| While using the computer monitor, ensure the | | | | printed matter you are working on. |
| following: | | | | Do not tilt computer monitors sharply either |
| -The screen is in front of you and at least 20 | | | | toward or away from yourself, as the objects on |
| inches (45 centimetres) away. | | | | the screen may appear distorted making them |
| The screen should not be more than 40 inches | | | | hard to view. Also, if the monitor is tilted back, |
| (100 centimetres) away. | | | | there are chances of the overhead lights creating |
| Ideal computer screen size is between 15 to 20 | | | | glare on the monitor, and a tilted or propped |
| inches, (about 37 to 50 centimetres) measured | | | | monitor may become unstable and fall over. You |
| diagonally. If the screen is very small, you’ll | | | | can tilt the computer monitor screen slightly - |
| find it difficult to read the characters. If the | | | | somewhere between 10 to 20 degrees - so that |
| screen is very large, you may require too much | | | | it is perpendicular to your line of sight. Always |
| space. | | | | ensure that the angle and tilt of the screen can |
| The ideal position is to have the screen directly in | | | | be adjusted without much effort. |
| front of you. But, if that is not possible, the | | | | For anything other than minor screen adjustment, |
| maximum ’offcentering’ | | | | it is is better to have the computer monitor |
| recommended is 35 degrees to the left or right | | | | sitting on a a riser/swivel stand, available from |
| of you. Thats approximately...not very much!The | | | | any good computer accessory store, on or offline. |
| top line of the computer monitor screen should be | | | | To avoid glare, make use of a glare screen, |
| at or below your eye level. If necessary raise | | | | available again from any suitable source of |
| your chair a little, so that your line of sight is also | | | | computer accessories... |
| raised. (However if you do this, make sure your | | | | Get your screen setup right and you've taken a |
| feet still get get good support, and your thighs | | | | big step towards healthy computing in 2006 and |
| can move freely under the desk. | | | | beyond! |