Whatever your profession, you no doubt spend some time in front of a computer every day. And, let's face it, today's working conditions are also pretty stressful, not only on your emotional and physical health but also on your visual health.

In the long-term, persistent stress can cause damage to your eyes. Before you become worried, understand that you can take precautions to look after your eyes by following these simple tips:

1. Health is in the air

Your printer, scanner, computer and photocopier heat up your office to unnatural temperatures. Working in a hot environment is not only uncomfortable, it also dries your eyes out that can lead to visual problems in the long-term.

Eye care specialists implore that you open a windowm and let as much fresh air into your office as possible. The cooler environment will be more comfortable and will increase your productivity as well as preserve your eyes.

2. Let light in

Fluorescent lights are effective for lighting up your workspace, which is very good for your eyes. However they also flicker on and off constantly. This happens at such high frequencies that it's almost imperceptible to your brain ? but not your eyes.

Fluorescent lights put massive strain on your eyes, which is why eye care professionals suggest you enhance the natural light in your workspace. If you don't have access to a window, rather install blue bulbs. This simple change will go a long way to taking better care of your eyes.

3. Cool it with the cooling

Most office workers cannot live without the air-con. If you work in an air-conditioned environment, you no doubt experience dry, sore eyes at the end of every day. What's more, the constant circulation of dry air causes stress, fatigue and frequent colds and flu. Optometrists suggest you ditch the AC for an open window.

4. Screening

A computer screen can cause deterioration of your vision. Take these precautions to minimise the harm caused by your PC screen:

• 1. Take regular breaks


• 2. Follow the 20x20x20 rule (see below)


• 3. Limit reading long documents on screen by printing. If you're concerned about wasting paper, use both sides of every page, and be sure to recyle.

5. 20x20x20 vision

Ease your eye-strain with the 20x20x20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away from your computer to something at least 20 metres away, for at least 20 seconds. This allows your eyes to focus on something static at a distance, which eases the strain.

6. Seven deadly sins

There are several tasks that are more stressful to your eyes than others. Try to limit these tasks by sharing them among colleagues or allocating only a portion of your workday to them. If this is not possible, try to alternate the following eye straining deadly's with other tasks:

• 1. Entering data repetitively onto a computer from hard copy
• 2. Working with crowded or complex documents
• 3. Frequent scrolling down or across on-screen documents
• 4. Frequent repositioning of mouse
• 5. Continuous use of numeric keypad
• 6. Entering details on-screen while answering the telephone
• 7. Close work such as proof-reading.

7. Get tested

If you're experiencing stress, fatigue or depression, it could be caused by a problem with your vision.

A trip to the optometrist once a year will solve this. Wearing corrective glasses can drastically improve your productivity in the workplace and increase your general health.

To find out where your closest optometrist is, visit www.eyesite.co.za.