
That is, straight and level,” said Alan Hedge, professor and director of Cornell University’s Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Group at the time of our interview. “To minimize the risk of injury and to optimize performance, it is important that a keyboard can be used with the hand in its most neutral position. But using a keyboard in that position causes wrist extension. Most keyboards are angled upward from front to back, and some have little feet to angle the keyboard even further.
Typing comfort: A keyboard should have full-size, well-spaced keys that feel satisfying and responsive, not cheap or mushy. But a keyboard shouldn’t be so small that the keys feel cramped and uncomfortable to type on. Smaller keyboards also take up less room on a desk and are more portable. Most people don’t use the built-in number pad on wide keyboards-and you can get a separate number pad for number-intensive tasks-but if you do need a built-in number pad, we also have recommendations for that. Size: In most cases, we recommend keyboards without number pads because wide keyboards force you to place your mouse farther from your body, which can put strain on your shoulders, neck, and back. Most are meant to be worn during the day while working in front of a computer, and at night to prevent the blue light from screens from keeping us awake. Many blue-light blocking glasses you can buy also claim to help reduce eye strain. That means if you use these glasses when looking at a screen, especially after dark, they can help reduce exposure to blue light waves that can keep you awake. What are blue-light blocking glasses?īlue-light blocking glasses have filters in their lenses that block or absorb blue light, and in some cases UV light, from getting through. Prevent Blindness, a nonprofit dedicated to mitigating vision loss, also says that early research suggests that blue light can contribute to eye strain. However, research compiled by the AOA indicates that prolonged exposure to blue light (such as sitting in front of a computer all day) might cause damage to your retina - the innermost layer of your eye that sends signals to your brain to process what you are seeing. Our bodies have evolved to deal with this light." Raj Maturi, a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, explained, "During the day, you get 10 times as much blue light from the sun as you do from your computer screen. We get plenty of blue light waves each day from the sun, but after dark we're still exposed to it from many artificial sources. What gives off blue light?Īny source of visible light gives off blue light waves, whether it's the sun, a touchscreen or a light bulb. Within that spectrum are blue light waves, which are said to help us stay alert and upbeat. What is blue light?Īll visible light we humans see contains the entire spectrum of the rainbow, from red to violet. There is conflicting evidence about how blue light exposure affects your eyes, but doctors and researches are in agreement that it does affect your circadian rhythm. Is staring at a screen for hours each day bad?ĭoctors and researchers are largely focused on two issues that arise from our ever-growing screen time: Digital eye strain and blue light exposure.Īccording to the American Optometric Association, digital eye strain is "a group of eye- and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer, tablet, e-reader and cell phone use." Those issues range from blurry vision and dry eyes, to headaches and neck pain.īy staring at screens all day, we're also exposed to blue light waves, which are said to cause a myriad of issues. You can even get blue-light blocking lenses for your prescription glasses. Once hard to find, there are now plenty of stylish options from companies like Felix Gray and Peepers. Read more: These Transitions contact lenses make me look like an alien - here's why I love them To combat those problems, you can pick up a pair of computer glasses - also called blue-light blocking glasses - which promise everything from eliminating eye strain to helping you sleep better. And that's just while we're at the office - we're also addicted to using our phones all day long.Īll of that screen time seems to come with various ill effects on our bodies and minds, such as eye strain, headaches and insomnia.
The average office worker spends 1,700 hours per year(!) in front of a computer screen.
I've been staring at screens my entire life, from my parent's early Gateway machine, to Macintosh desktops at school, to my iPhone, iPad and MacBook today. Blue-light blocking glasses from the brand Felix Gray.