MATC Matters

If you are having trouble with your vision, you are not alone. One in four adult computer users in the United States have difficulty with their sight. Making sure that your computer monitor is at or below eye level is only the first step in enhancing your vision. You can make many other adjustments that will lessen the strain on your eyes.

*Consider the lighting in your workspace. Bright lights or sunlight that shines directly on your screen may make it difficult to see your work. Instead, try to have rows of light that run parallel to your view of the screen.

*To help decrease the glare from incoming sunlight, place your monitor perpendicular to the window or adjust the blinds.

*An additional desk light can focus additional light on tasks that require reading and writing, while not increasing glare on your monitor.

Your computer’s operating system provides a number of options, usually called “accessibility feature” or “universal access” features depending on which system you are using. These features will allow you to adjust:

• the size and color of text
• the size of title bars
• the size of items on your desktop
• a number of other features

Your program also may have tools such as a magnifier that allows you to run the mouse over a selection and see it magnified to a size of your choice in a small viewing window that appears at the top of the page.

In addition to these self adjustments, there are additional products that magnify, have voice or sound outputs rather than visual outputs, provide contrast, lessen glare on your screen and have big text or numbers with markings that you can feel with your hands.

Quick Tip: If your chair, desk or monitor are not adjustable consider using books or other objects in your office to make simple changes. For example, if your monitor is too low you can place books underneath it until it reaches your eye level or if it is too high you can sit on an extra cushion to raise yourself up.

Do‑It‑Yourself Changes: If you are not familiar with how to change the accessibility features or universal access features on your computer, Microsoft and Apple have either an online tutorial or more information on available features on their company websites.

If you have other questions or comments, contact Cindi Rutten, Employee Health & Wellness coordinator at 243‑4133.