YOUR EYES ARE TOO IMPORTANT TO NEGLECT

By Steve Gray, A.O.E.S.

How we use our eyes has changed more in the last 20 years than it has in the previous 30,000 years!  We have gone from using our eyes primarily for distance to spending our time only looking 10-25 inches. We all (over 70 million of us) now have computers in the home, office and even in our pockets as cell phones.

7 WAYS TO SAVE YOUR EYES

1. 20/20/20 Rule:  Every 20 minutes take 20 seconds and focus on something 20 ft. away from your monitor.  This works the eye muscles and keeps them from getting stuck in a super-near vision setting.

2. Adjust your computer screen:   Do you know that you can adjust the foreground and background color of your computer monitor?  Make sure the contrast between the screen background and the on-screen characters is high and that the text is a size and color that is comfortable seen.

3. Glare:  Glare can cause eye fatigue and headaches. And besides that, it is painful! We all know the harsh reality of glare. If you can see your reflection in your monitor, trust me…your monitor has glare!  Use a glare screen and tilt your monitor away from the light source  

4. Dry eyes:  Here’s the secret!!! BLINK!  People using computers blink less often so their eyes are not lubricated and thus, they’re not being protected.  It’s very simple…just blink more often.

5. Take a Break: Move away from the monitor.  Even if it is just for a few seconds, those precious seconds can make a big difference.
6. Eye protection:   Most of us think eye protection means those large goggles you wear when you go into a production area but eye protection in the computer arena does not mean big ugly goggles, these days it can mean very light, comfortable, and stylish eyewear that looks good and feels good on your eyes. Prescription Computer glasses are highly recommended.  Talk to an optometrist, they will help you protect your eyes

7. Monitor placement: Where you place your monitor makes a huge difference.  Position your monitor approximately arms-length directly in front and in alignment with your keyboard.  You should be able to view your entire monitor without flexing or bending or twisting your neck.  

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The state of California has a great program in effect – I’m surprised that it hasn’t gotten more buzz. It’s a wonderful opportunity for small employers (less than 50 employees) with injured employees to receive the needed ergonomic furniture/supplies necessary to bring the employee back to work. The employer pays the initial cost of the supplies and the state reimburses the employer – making the cost to the employer FREE!! The state will pay up to $2500 for expenses incurred making workplace modifications needed to bring the injured worker back to work. For further information, follow this link:
http://www.dir.ca.gov/DWC/ReturntoWorkReimbursementProgram/ReturnToWork.htm

Or you can contact Janet at TheErgonomicStore.com

This season I was trying to maintain a Holiday card exchange with a couple of friends. The list gets smaller and smaller every year as people take to sending e-Cards instead of the traditional hand addressed cards. I was alarmed by my horrible pensmanship. I thought it must be the pen and searched high and low for a more comfortable pen. I wondered if an ergonomic pen would make a difference. So, bloggers out there, tell me does anyone have an ergonomic pen that they just love? Let me know because I am in the market for one.
Stephanie

The Restman
I guess just about all of you have some level of discomfort while working on the computer for long periods of time. For me, the pain is in my right shoulder. It begins to ache when mousing and keyboarding. I have tried arm rests and supports but they are too confining for me. One day we received a sample. They called it a Restman. All the gang at the office tried it out most everyone really though it was a great add to our webstore so here is is. It attaches easily to your chair or desk and supports the forearm, wrist, elbow and for me NO SHOULDER PAIN! As you can see in the photo it has a pretty large surface compared to a lot of mouse rests and arm rests that we have put to the test. We have sold over 100 of them and have had only good responses. Most folks thought that the Restman were a great value and were completly satisfied. So that’s good news.
Let us know what you think!

Having never blogged before, I’m not sure how to get started. Perhaps I should begin by thanking you for taking the time to visit my website and encouraging you to look at all we have to offer. If you don’t see what you need, please let me know.

It has occurred to me that, while I try to stay on top of the latest ergonomic trends, it would be helpful to have input from my clients as to what their actual needs are so that I can best determine how to fulfill them.

With that in mind, I’m hoping that some of you will take the time to respond with some suggestions as to things you might like to see on our website.

Personally, I recently came across a new product that I found interesting. The concept seems good but I’m wondering if anyone would actually be willing to use it on a regular basis. If you’re like me and spend way too much time sitting at your desk, it might be the solution to your time management problems. Too much work and not enough working out seems to be a growing problem, so to speak. This product could get you up and moving, while still allowing you to get some work done. It’s probably not for everyone but, for those who spend a lot of time reviewing files, responding to e-mails, talking on the phone, etc., this could really work.

Apparently, it has a maximum speed of two miles per hour and is aimed at keeping your heart rate steady. It is quiet and has an adjustable work surface with an arc-shaped indentation in the table. The treadmill’s surface is slightly narrower than most machines’, but the arc and the firm wrist pad help prevent the need for side railings. It isn’t suggested that it be used as the primary work station but possibly an interesting “hot station” to be shared by everyone or in conference rooms where people could walk as they review PowerPoint slides or teleconference. While we would all rather take a walk in the park, this could be a great alternative for those trapped in the office all day trying to get some work done.

What do you think? I look forward to hearing from you.