Is your PC monitor (or monitors) set up correctly? Take a moment for a 3-step quick check – correcting any issues now may save you from eye strain and other undesirable symptoms later!
Height and position
Your monitor should be:
- at a height so the top edge of the screen is roughly at your eye level when you are sat at the desk
- placed so you do not have to turn your head to look at the main area of the screen
- at least an arm’s length away from you
- free from glare – you may be able to tilt your monitor forward slightly if there is glare due to overhead lighting
For more guidance/advice, visit Healthy working with computers.
Brightness and contrast
Having your PC monitor at a suitable brightness and contrast will help minimise eye strain. The levels to choose will depend on individual preferences as well as environmental factors e.g. ambient brightness. You may need to experiment to see what levels work best for you. Here is a video demonstrating how to adjust brightness and contrast on a standard Dell monitor:
Keep it clean!
Dust, fingerprints and other marks on your monitor screen will make it harder to see and may eventually lead to eyestrain. Regularly buff away dust with a soft, dry cloth, and use an appropriate screen cleaner with lint-free wipes to gently remove any stubborn marks. Also try to avoid touching the surface of your screen as you work, to avoid smudgy fingerprints in the first place!
(While you have the cleaning supplies out, why not clean your keyboard and mouse too?)
