Monitor Use

[Hopey79]

I have just moved to a new desk, and have started to get headaches while using my PC. My colleague who also used to use this desk had the same problem. It has a screen filter on, so i think that ther screen is too close to me during use, (it is a small desk). is there an minimum distance that the screen should be away from the user. and is this a legal requirement., TIA

[Paulst30]

Every employer who has their employees use the pc for more than 4 hours in a day at work has a legal requirement to organise a free eye test for their employees.

Just a note worth mentioning, however you never said whether it was a CRT or an LCD screen you where using?

LCD's are supposed to be easier on the eyes but i find i too get headaches when looking at them too long. You are allowed by law to get up after a short time and take regular away time, from the screen.

Play around with the resolution and contrast settings until you feel ease with your headache. Avoid drinking coffee in large amounts as this makes you dry and can cause your brain to shrink when the body takes water away from it.

I know it sounds far fetched but all of these little changes can make a big difference.

[fo3nix]

If it's got a screen filter I assume it's a CRT (big heavy thing). As Paul says, a LCD would be better.

Try and get your employer to change to an LCD. Let them know you're getting headaches -- they don't want a legal case. LCDs also save power so would eventually save the company money.

When you're sat in a proper upright position (actually, your back should be slightly reclined) so that you're comfortable and can work properly, the monitor should be at least arm's distance away from you.

[fo3nix]

Also, the monitor should ideally be straight in front of you (not to the side), and at eye level.

[Hopey79]

thanks very much for you help, much appriciated

[Hammer]

Try this for some tips as to how your desk should be laid out
http://www.openerg.com/dse/mainform.html
Try turning the constrast right down so that the screen is darker. Or it could be down to the lighting - is there plenty of natural light in your office or those dodgy strip light things?

[vehelpfulguy]

It may not be the screen but maybe a nearby window or electric light.

If, for example, the monitor is in front of a window your eyes are constantly trying to cope with the light from the monitor AND the light coming in from the window.

Or if there is an electric light abover the desk, flourecent maybe, again your eyes are trying to cope with the light from two sources.

This is just as likely to cause headaches as a badly adjusted monitor.

[ACtheTROLL]

One of the less obvious but more important settings is the refresh rate
On low settings (especially when a room is lit with fluorescents) the screen will strobe (flash very quickly)
In extreme cases it can even trigger a photoepileptic fit.
but generally it triggers migraine and headaches

Simple to try .... I'm assuming CRT and not flat panel - flat isn't suseptible to this (although the newest are almost responsive enough now)

On the desktop - right click an area without icons from the menu click properties
or
in control panel click display

Goto the settings tab.

First make sure the screen resolution is 800x600, 1024x786 at least - higher if your eyes are good enough.
(apply the changes ... if you don't like - just leave it ... the screen will revert in 15 seconds)

Then still in settings click the advanced button
Go to the Monitor tab
(Make sure that the hide modes box is ticked)
The screen refresh rate should be set to any number higher than 60

(72 to 80 is good - don't go too high).
If the display displays - accept the settings.
(the picture will almost certainly be out of alignment dont worry)

accept and Ok back to the desktop

Now you will probably have to adjust the settings for the screen itself - to reposition/re-size the picture.

set
contrast high .... brightness about 80% and tweak from there ....

the screen should be at 90 deg to windows
eye level = top third of screen

angle slightly downward to reduce reflection

All the other settings are relevant ... (artificial lighting is better because the level is controllable)