In the years since we exchanged our slide rules for calculators, more and more of us use computers for longer periods each day. This raises questions about eye health and the VDU screen, so if you are worried about the hours you spend slaving over your keyboard, read on…..

Problems can arise because of the amount of time we spend in front of our computers. To counteract this you need to do a spot of eye exercise and remember to blink often, which moistens the surface of the eye, and try to get into the habit of looking away from the screen at regular intervals. This alters your focus and helps to prevent eye strain and fatigue.

You may need prescription glasses for the computer, and if so, an anti-reflection coating will help to reduce the effects of glare. You should also make sure that the glasses you are wearing are at the correct focal length. Tell your optician how far away the screen is when you work.

Have regular eye tests with a qualified optician and make sure your prescription glasses are up to date. If you spend most of your working day on a computer your employer will pay for the test, and the cost of the spectacle lenses. Buy glasses online and you can afford a few pairs, so you’re never straining to see the screen without them.