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Tips and information for comfortable use
Computer users may complain of eyestrain and headaches after prolonged use. Users are
also at risk of physical injury after long hours of working in front of a computer. Long work
periods, bad posture, poor work habits, stress, inadequate working conditions, personal
health and other factors greatly increase the risk of physical injury.
Incorrect computer usage may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis or
other musculoskeletal disorders. The following symptoms may appear in the hands, wrists,
arms, shoulders, neck or back:
numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation
•
aching, soreness or tenderness
•
pain, swelling or throbbing
•
stiffness or tightness
•
coldness or weakness
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If you have these symptoms, or any other recurring or persistent discomfort and/or pain
related to computer use, consult a physician immediately and inform your company's health
and safety department.
The following section provides tips for more comfortable computer use.
Finding your comfort zone
Find your comfort zone by adjusting the viewing angle of the monitor, using a footrest, or
raising your sitting height to achieve maximum comfort. Observe the following tips:
refrain from staying too long in one fixed posture
•
avoid slouching forward and/or leaning backward
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stand up and walk around regularly to remove the strain on your leg muscles
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Taking care of your vision
Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive room
lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast displays could stress
your eyes. The following sections provide suggestions on how to reduce eyestrain.
Eyes
Rest your eyes frequently.
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Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and focusing on a
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distant point.
Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out.
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Display
Keep your display clean.
•
Keep your head at a higher level than the top edge of the display so your eyes point
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downward when looking at the middle of the display.
Adjust the display brightness and/or contrast to a comfortable level for enhanced text
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readability and graphics clarity.
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