Ideal office environment for Software engineers:
1. People vary in height. The chair should be of adjustable height so that the monitor is positioned directly in front, 20 to 28 inches from the eyes.
2. The computer monitor should not be against a blank white wall.
3. The top of the screen should be at eye level or a little below. Looking up or down while reading from the computer screen increases the tension in the neck muscles and produces pain.
4. If reading the type from this distance is difficult it is better to increase the font size instead of moving closer.
5. People using bifocals may tend to tilt their head backwards to see through the lower portion of the spectacles. If so, the monitor may need not to be lowered a few inches.
6. The keyboard needs to be efficiently placed directly in front of the monitor. If it is angulated to a side, the eyes have to keep adjusting for different distances. That is tiring.
7. Reference materials should be placed on a document holder, next to the monitor screen so that readjustment and strain to the eyes is prevented.
8. The lighting in the room is important. It should be adjusted to reduce glare and discomfort. It should be from a side not directly overhead or from the back.
9. The screen should be wiped to keep it dust free. The eyes which stare unblinkingly at the computer screen may itch, burn or water. Vision may blur while shifting the focus of the eyes back and forth from papers on the desk to the computer screen. If they are also associated with headaches, then work days may be lost.
Precautions for Software engineers:
1. Take eye breaks throughout the day.
2. Force them to focus on something other than the screen.
3.Hold a finger a few inches in front of the face; focus on the finger and slowly move it away; Focus on something far in the distance and then back to the finger; slowly bring the finger back toward the face.
4. Shift the focus to something farther than eight feet away and hold your eyes there for a few seconds.
5. Repeat this exercise several times a day.
6. Try to stand up and move around at least once every hour or so.
7. If possible, lean back and close your eyes for a few moments.
Diseases due to heavy computer usage:
1. Prolonged computer use can result in dry eyes.
2. Constant pounding at the key board can injure the hand and wrist.
Unusual symptoms may appear like:
1. Tightness, discomfort, stiffness, soreness or burning in the hands, wrists, fingers, forearms, or elbows.
2. Tingling, coldness, or numbness in the hands.
3. Clumsiness.
4. Loss of strength and coordination in the hands.
5. Pain sufficient to interrupt sleep. These can be tackled with repeated flexion and extension of the palms and fingers throughout the day.
Take proper care.
