Helping the for Eyes Chained to a Monitor, Relieving Computer Eye Strain

Most young people wear eyeglasses to correct their distance vision. Reading glasses are prescribed to correct near vision only. And bifocals prescribed for those over age 40 with presbyopia correct only near and far. Even trifocals and progressive lenses (which do have some lens power for intermediate vision) often don't have a large enough intermediate zone for comfortable computer work. Without computer eyeglasses, many computer users often end up with blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches — the hallmark symptoms of computer vision syndrome.

Worse still, many people try to compensate for their blurred vision by leaning forward, or by tipping their head to look through the bottom portion of their glasses. Both of these actions can result in a sore neck, sore shoulders and a sore back. Though they sometimes are called "computer reading glasses," it's best to call eyewear designed specifically for computer use "computer glasses" or "computer eyeglasses" to distinguish them from conventional reading glasses. Computer glasses put the optimum lens power for viewing your computer screen right where you need it for a clear, wide field of view without the need for excessive focusing effort or unhealthful postures.

University research also shows computer eyewear can significantly increase worker productivity.Lens Designs for Computer Eyewear Many special purpose lens designs work well for computer glasses. Because these lenses are prescribed specifically for computer use, they are not suitable for driving or general purpose wear. Eye fatigue is a common symptom of computer vision syndrome. Computer vision syndrome causes eye fatigue, which can make you feel tired in general. The simplest computer glasses have single vision lenses with a modified lens power prescribed to give the most comfortable vision at the user's computer screen.

This lens power relaxes the amount of accommodation required to keep objects in focus at the distance of the computer screen and provides the largest field of view. Single vision computer glasses reduce the risk of eye strain, blurred vision and unnatural posture that can cause neck and back pain, and can be used comfortably by young and old computer users alike. Another popular lens design for computer glasses is the occupational progressive lens — a no-line multifocal that corrects near, intermediate, and, up to a point, distance vision. It has a larger intermediate zone than regular progressive lenses for more comfortable vision at the computer. But this leaves less lens area for distance vision. So these lenses are not recommended for driving or other significant distance vision tasks. Other lenses used for computer glasses include occupational bifocal and trifocal lenses. These lined multifocal lenses have larger zones for intermediate and near vision than regular bifocals and trifocals, and the position of the intermediate and near zones can be customized for your particular computer vision needs.

Your optometrist or ophthalmologist can help you decide which lens design will best suit your needs for computer glasses. Lens Coatings and Tints For maximum viewing comfort, the lenses of your computer glasses should include anti-reflective coating. Sometimes called anti-glare treatment, anti-reflective (AR) coatings eliminate reflections of light from the front and back surfaces of your lenses that can cause eye strain. Some eye doctors recommend adding a light tint to computer glasses to reduce glare caused by harsh overhead lighting and to enhance contrast. Tinted computer lenses also are recommended to block short-wavelength, "blue" light emitted from computer screens that is associated with glare and eye strain.

For more details about anti-reflective coating and tints for your computer glasses, consult your eye care professional. Where To Buy Computer Glasses Resist the temptation to buy over-the-counter reading glasses for use as computer glasses. Because an accurate eyeglasses prescription is essential if you want to get the full benefits from computer glasses, it's best to purchase this eyewear from a knowledgeable eye care professional. Prior to scheduling your eye exam, measure how far you like to sit from your computer. Measure from the bridge of your nose to the surface of your computer screen. Bring this measurement with you to your exam so your eye doctor can use it to help determine the optimum lens power for your computer glasses.


Spectacles or clip-ons for laptop screens
I'm typing this text on a laptop in a city park. The problem with laptop displays in daylight or in bright rooms is you get a lot of hindering reflexions. I'm sitting in bright sunlight with the Sun facing me. Typing would be impossible if I didn't put on a black T-shirt, a hat and my new "magic" clip-ons.
The light from laptop displays and all such LCD / TFT displays is polarized. So when you put on polarized spectacles (or add polarized clip-ons to your spectacles), most of the light from the display reaches your eyes while the other sources of light are dimmed, especially the reflexions. This is very handy. The resulting proportional enhancement of the display is not tremendous but it can make a comfortable difference.

The problem is you cannot use common clip-ons. Indeed standard polarized clip-ons have a vertical polarization (90°) while laptop displays have a 45° or -45° polarization. So I had to transform commercial clip-ons to conform them to the 45° polarization of my laptop display. The photograph below shows standard clip-ons and below old ones I transformed. I detached the filters and attached them back on with a 45° rotation. Later I cut the filters with scissors to make them more symmetric and let my nose through.

The enhancement brought by the clip-ons is better in bright rooms than in sunlight. In some cases I notice no enhancement at all. The GIF animation below shows a screen photographed in the outside with and without the polarized filter. I'll make better photographs, anyway it gives a rough idea:
One drawback on my laptop is its little keyboard LCD display has a -45° polarization, hence 90° opposite to the main TFT display. So I can no more read the battery state and the Caps Lock and Num Lock states. Unless I rotate my head a little bit... This is not a serious problem.

I believe the enhancement is sufficient to justify the commercialization of spectacles and clip-ons dedicated to laptops. Friends told me they would spend between 5 and 20 € on such clip-ons. The common price of low cost standard clip-ons is 8 €.
For quality spectacles or clip-ons, for example for people working outside, probably a much higher price would be acceptable and necessary. (Remind two kinds of spectacles or clip-ons are necessary: ones for +45° polarized displays and ones for -45° displays.)

4 important factors lead to eye fatigue for computer users.

Optical Noise: Problem: Glare is a problem among people who work near primary light sources such as computers. Scratches or smudges tend to intensify glare..

Solution: All Gunnar Computer Glasses have lenses with hydrophobic, oliophobic and anti-glare finishes. And incorporate fRACTYL ™ lens geometry which helps focus light.

Optical Wavelength: Problem: High energy wavelengths produced by artificial light sources, such as fluorescent bulbs and computer screens, contribute to eyestrain and fatigue.. Solution: Gunnar ’s proprietary iONik™ lens tints are effective at eliminating eyestrain and fatigue by specifically targeting and then shifting the high energy wavelengths produced by artificial light sources. Dryness: Problem: Prolonged, concentrated viewing of computer screens typically results in less blinking, which leads to dry, irritated eyes. Solution: The highly wrapped configuration of Gunnar’s fRACTYL™ lens geometry sits close to the face and creates an ocular microclimate. This prevents dry eyes by trapping in humidity and blocking out evaporative air currents. Weight: Problem: Wearing eyeglasses for extended periods can result in uncomfortable pressure and pain at their points of contact. Solution: Gunnar Computer Glasses use a patented diAmix™ lens material that is extremely strong and ultra-light making them extremely comfortable for extended wear. Gunnar FAQ What is i-AMP™ lens technology? GUNNAR’s proprietary i-AMP™ lens technology relaxes the ocular muscles that strain to view text and images at close distances.By improving eye focus, reducing glare, conditioning and shifting the color spectrum, and blocking artificial/reflective light - GUNNAR i-AMP™ lens technology gives digital device users optimal visual performance and efficiency. Can I wear GUNNAR digital performance eyewear all day? GUNNAR precision computer glasses frames are designed with one goal in mind - long haul ergonomics.For visual endurance, every frame system is engineered for optimal weight, comfort and durability. Most users prefer GUNNAR eyewear for computer viewing, however multi-tasking throughout the day is not unusual or harmful. Is GUNNAR eyewear available with prescription lenses? Yes, GUNNAR provides prescriptive digital eyewear. Who should wear high-performance digital eyewear? Most people who spend time using computers or hand-held electronic devices such as blackberries and cell phones will benefit from wearing GUNNAR’s line of digital performance eyewear.