Positioning Your Monitor
Place the monitor so it is directly in front of you
with the top of the screen slightly below eye level
when you are sitting at the computer. You may want to place it
on top of the computer or on a stand.
Your line of sight to the screen should be about 10 to 20 degrees
below the horizontal. If the monitor has a tilt and swivel base,
you can adjust the position of the screen for the best viewing
angle.
Sit about an arm’s length or more away from the monitor. The
most comfortable viewing distance depends on the size of the
screen characters and your ability to focus on the display.
Adjust the monitor’s brightness and contrast controls to
maximize image clarity, and keep the screen clean.
Try placing any source documents you are using on a copy stand
and position the stand next to the screen at the same eye level.
This reduces neck strain and makes it easier for your eyes to
move back and forth between the document and the screen.
Lighting Your Workspace
Appropriate lighting increases your comfort
and productivity, and it’s good for your
eyes. Arrange your computer and light sources to minimize
glare and bright reflections.
Position the monitor so that any windows in the room face the
sides of the monitor, not the front or back. This will help reduce
glare.
For working at the computer, indirect or shielded lighting is
best, and it should light your entire office equally. Make sure the
lighting is not too bright, because this can make your eyes tired
from continually readjusting between the relative dimness of the
Using Your Computer 2-3
