Posted: 10/13/2011 5:14:28 PM EDT
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So, I've been hearing a bit about glasses made specifically for minimizing eye strain while working at the computer. On the one hand, it seems like kind of a good idea since I'm a programming major (and, hopefully, a future professional programmer), and hence spend a lot of time in front of a computer. On the other hand, part of me thinks this might be one of those things that doctors use to get more money out of their patients without actually fixing anything. Does anyone have any experience with things like this? Are they legit, or BS?
Here's an example: http://www.stokolvision.com/ (click on 'Common Eye Conditions and Treaments', it won't let me link to it directly). Thanks all! |
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oooooooo good one!
On the one hand, I'm a developer with maybe 20 years of experience sitting in front of a screen, 16 or so of those professionally, and my eyes are not shot. I don't wear glasses, though I do have a prescription (expired) for mild astigmatism, both eyes. Driving at night, far away cars kinda look like they have 4 headlights. On the other hand, almost every other programmer I know wears glasses. On another hand, most of them have probably worn them since long before they sat in front of a screen all day. So... yeah. That's 2 votes for scam, 1 vote for maybe. My protips: 1. Sit a reasonable distance away. My LCDs are at least 2 feet from my face. 2. If using a CRT (I know, "what's that"), get the highest refresh rate you can, and avoid fluorescent lighting. 3. Backlighting! If your screen(s) are up against a wall of some kind, point a desk lamp (the kind on an arm) at the wall. 4. Keep the whole room well lit. Don't work in the dark with just the light from the screen like some kind of tool. |
| I have some, but I often forget to wear them. I went to the eye dr with the problem of occasionally bursting blood vessels. His explanation was that your eyes are meant to look at stuff and focus on that distance. A CRT (this was years ago) isn't really a solid object at a fixed distance like paper or something and SOME peoples eyes go back and forth trying to focus on a depth and never do and this leads to eye strain. The glasses I have cause my eyes to focus on the distance that your computer screen should be at. |
| I have a pair of Gunnar Optiks. My eyes feel much better when I wear them at work. |
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From what my Optometrist told me its an additional layer added to the lenses after they are cut and ground. For optical clarity its not something that you or I could apply with decent results. I assume it uses some sort of vacuum/pressure to add it to the lenses like a real thin layer of saran wrap. |
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Quoted: RX Glasses with the coating. I have another pair without the coating that i keep in my car, I can tell the difference when I forget and wear the car pair in the store.Quoted: All it is is a coating on the glasses to deal with refections, and yes it does make a difference, a positive one. Are you wearing RX glasses or over the counter non-RX glasses? |
I went for an exam a few years back. Doc looked at my eyes, and said "Let me guess: You stare at a computer monitor under florecent lighting for 8+ hours a day?" I said "more like 10-12 at work, and another 4-6 at home!" He advised me to use eye drops a few times a day, and of course to try to take a break from the screen. But, that's hard being a computer professional, and a gaming geek.  I used the drops for a bit, didn't notice much difference, and at last year's exam, a different doc said my eyes were some of the best he'd seen, condition wise.
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Ordering myself a pair. |