How to Select a LCD Monitor

Posted on November 2nd, 2006 in ergonomics, energy, computers and internet by Thomas

The large selection of available make it difficult to choose which one is right for you. Here are some not so well kown tips for you to make a better decision.

Speed, Refresh Rate: Monitors come usually with 4, 8 or 16 ms (millisecond) refresh rates. For smaller monitors (15″, 17″ and 19″) and if you are doing mostly office work 4 or 8 ms are the better choice. For larger monitors (20″ and up) 16 ms can be sufficient, the bigger the monitor the less important the refresh rate.

  • However, if you watch movies or play fast games, faster refresh rates are then also recommended for larger monitors.
  • When working mostly with text, like office work, browsing, text processing, etc. a monitor over 19″ is not recommended as the text gets really small. And the distance to the monitor needs be more than the recommended 25″

Bigger screens have sometimes issues with an even brightness all across the panel. They can be brighter in the center and “fade out” to the corners. The bigger the screen the more likely that’s to happen.

If you consider getting a 19″ monitor. They are really good to watch DVDs. But their screen surface is about 8% smaller than a regular 19″ monitor. For office work and occasional move watching, the regular 19″ is the better choice.

A . A higher contrast ratio also means higher energy consumption, higher heat and more out-gassing.

Ideally, the monitor is height adjustable, so you can set the top of the screen just below your eye level.

A lighter color monitor frame is better than a black or charcoal color. This reduces eye strain and computer-vision-syndrome.

And last, CRT monitors, the heavy bulky, power consuming, high radiation, full of lead monitors are not anything to consider anymore.

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8 Ways to Reduce or Even Eliminate Computer Vision Syndrome

Posted on October 18th, 2006 in ergonomics, health and wellness, computers and internet by Thomas

Over the past week “” has been in the news. The latest story in “The Frederick News-Post” titled “Prolonged computer use can lead to vision problems”.

The article states that more than 88 million people who use computers for more than 4 hours per day suffer from computer vision syndrome, that’s about a quarter of the total population of the U.S.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates the enormous cost for workman’s comp, to the economy, and employers: In 2002, employers reported a total of 487,900 lost workdays due to work-related (MSDs), representing nearly 50% of all lost work days. On top of these productivity costs, employers have paid approximately $20 billion annually in direct worker’s compensation costs. Indirect costs, like lower productivity at work, etc. add another $60 billion, for a total of $80 billion dollars.

The articles quotes Dr. Frishman, an optometrist from Frederick, Maryland, that the top of the monitor should be at the same level when you stretch your arms out. That would mean that I had to dig my monitor into my desk. The correct location of the monitor is: top of screen at or just below eye level, not shoulder/arm level.

Here are 8 tips to reduce or even eliminate most symptoms:

  • Use a TCO’03 compliant monitor. Not only are they more than other monitors, TCO’03 also requires compliance with standards: contrast, resolution, brightness, adjustability, etc.
  • The area behind the monitor should be lit, too. If it is all dark around your monitor (or TV for that matter), the eye has to constantly adjust between bright and dark.
  • Use a light colored keyboard. Dark, black keyboards create eye strain for the same reason. Ideally the area on your desk where the computer is should be in “lighter” colors.
  • If you need reading glasses, they won’t work with your computer. The monitor should be about arms length away (25?), books and papers only about the length of your forearm (15?). Ask your optometrist what he can do for you. Zeiss Optical has special lenses called “”
  • Avoid glare, reflections, etc. from windows, lamps, etc.
  • Look away at least every 15 minutes, look out the window. For example in Germany, every computer worker has to be able to look out a window from their chair.
  • The human attention span is typically between 20 and 45 minutes. Find your attention span, set an alarm and walk away from your desk for a couple of minutes (if you can, don’t blame me if you get fired)
  • If you use a notebook, the notebook has to be off your desk to bring you monitor to eye level. Get a notebook stand. This will also prolong the life and increase the stability of your notebook, because it runs cooler. Don’t forget to remove the battery when it is charged.

What are you waiting for? Time to change your habits and office layout?


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Computer Eye Strain Harms Academic Performance

Posted on October 13th, 2006 in ergonomics, notebooks and laptops, health and wellness, computers and internet by Thomas

Yesterday I saw an article by Meg Nugent of Newhouse News Service in the local newspaper about .

Computer [tag-tec]eye strain[tag-tec] caused by low quality monitors, too much time spent in front of a computer monitor, or poor ergonomic setup, with reflection glare, etc.

The picture coming with the article shows a 4 or 5th grader hunched over a notebook, eyes about 4 inches away from the screen. The correct distance is about 25 inches. The correct distance for reading on paper - books, newspapers, etc. - is about 15 inches.

Rule of thumb: Sit arm length away from the monitor and the length of your forearm from all printed matter.

If you are using a notebook, that would mean your arms should be stretched, if you are an adult. Small kids can’t even reach the !!! Does it make sense to type with stretched arms?

What the article didn’t mention, eye strain can also be caused or additionally worsened by a black keyboard. Everybody, even people who type with 10 fingers, look up and down between keyboard and monitor. The contrast difference between a black/dark keyboard and the bright lit screen creates additional eye strain.

Being hunched over a notebook is causing bad posture, the spine is round, the head tucked between shoulders. Most people hunch over and then look up a little bit, while ideally the neck should be straight and the chin slightly tilted towards the chest. Hands and arms are all clawed in.

Being hunched over not only curves the spine and shortens the muscles in the front but also takes volume away in the chest and doesn’t the person to breathe freely.

If it has to be a notebook, please give yourself or your kid a break and use a notebook stand to get the screen into correct position and plug in an external keyboard to allow for an upright and ergonomic posture.

Make sure there is no reflection on the screen from windows, etc.
Your eyes, your whole body will say thank you and feel much fresher once your done working.


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