Many people dream of not having to sit in traffic every morning on the way to the office, but simply being able to work from home. Working life is subject to constant change. These changes are partly due to the internet. Nowadays, 85 percent of all households in Austria already have access and a broadband connection. Thanks to this increasing digitalization, it is possible to carry out many tasks from home. However, it is important to remember that working conditions at home must be just as good as those in offices. Constant work at a PC or laptop does not leave the body unscathed. Many people who have been working at a screen for years eventually need glasses or Contact lensesbecause the eye becomes overstrained.
Creating an eye-friendly working atmosphere
Regardless of whether you already suffer from a visual impairment and wear daily lenses or another visual aid, or still have very good vision, there are a few tips you should follow to create optimal working conditions for your eyes. This is often not that easy in a home office. While office buildings offer plenty of space and design flexibility, at home you often put the desk in a corner where there is "just enough space left". Hardly anyone has the luxury of a separate study in their apartment or house. It is important to keep an eye on the light incidence, literally. Ideally, the desk should be parallel to the light source. Under no circumstances should the sun's rays dazzle the eye or reflect on the screen. If they do, the visual organ has to work all the harder to focus. In any case, it is recommended to place the desk in a room with daylight. Artificial light is far less good for the eyes. Just as in the office, you should also ensure a balanced room climate at your home workplace. Especially in winter, the air is often too dry, which leads to additional eye irritation. It is best to ventilate several times a day and let fresh air into the room. Alternatively, a humidifier is a good option. Plants can also contribute to a better room climate.
The right monitor protects the eyes
You shouldn't skimp on your work equipment, even if you have to pay for the monitor for your home office yourself. Most screens today are already set to be eye-friendly. Flickering at low brightness settings hardly ever occurs anymore. However, many people who set up an office at home don't even know how to set up the monitor correctly. In the computer's menu, under the "Monitor" section, there are several points that you can adjust individually. It is often a matter of "learning by doing". You try out a setting and test how well you get along with it. However, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Too bright color settings irritate the eyes
- Adjust sharpness correctly: font edges must be clearly recognizable
- Reflection on the monitor must be avoided at all costs: special films provide a remedy
- Set contrast as high as possible
- Dark characters on a light background are easy on the eyes
- Adjust font size for documents
It is not only the setting that is important, but also the orientation of the monitor. Ideally, the top edge of the screen should be below eye level. When you sit upright, you look past the monitor. If you use a 17 to 19-inch monitor, it should be placed about 70 centimeters from the eye; for 24-inch models, the recommended distance is greater at 90 centimeters. If you already have a visual impairment, it is best to discuss the best setting for your home office with your ophthalmologist. The specialist not only prescribes the right glasses but also advises on all eye problems. The Biofinity Toric contact lenses, for example, are used for people with astigmatism.
Give your eyes a break
Whether you work in a home office or a large office, no one is immune to Office Eye Syndrome. In more and more people, the visual organ dries out extremely during the day. The eyes begin to itch and burn. This is caused by a reduced blink rate. Behind a PC or laptop, you close your eyes much less often than usual. Therefore, you should consciously blink regularly to keep the visual organ moist. Problems with screen work arise because you are constantly focusing on small letters on the PC or on work documents. There is rarely a change between near and far vision. As a result, the eye has to work very hard all day long. No wonder the visual organ starts to water and you also regularly suffer from headaches. A conscious look into the distance provides relief. Anyone who takes the time to look out the window regularly gives their eyes soothing relaxation. Cold eye compresses can also help. Anyone who has the opportunity to work flexibly in the home office should interrupt screen work more often in between. Sitting behind a PC or laptop for hours not only strains the eyes. It also leads to back problems. If the sitting position is not optimal, the shoulders become tense. Gymnastic exercises, ideally in the fresh air or at least in front of an open window, provide new energy for working in the home office.
