How to Combat
Eye Fatigue Right Now
Change your work environmentby changing how you use your monitor
A brief guide that introduces survey
results about PC usage and eye fatigue
and what to do about it.

C ON T EN T S
80% of workers experience fatigue from PC use••••••••The relationship between PC use and eye fatigue•••••••

1
2

3 steps to combat eye fatigue
1. Adjust the screen to the proper brightness
2. Adjust the screen to the proper position
153 Shimokashiwano, Hakusan, Ishikawa 924-8566 Japan
Phone +81-76-277-6792

3. Take regular breaksFax: +81-76-277-6793

www.eizo.com
Copyright© 2010 Eizo Nanao Corporation.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

579

About 80% of workers
experience fatigue from PC use

About 80% of workers experience
physical fatigue and symptoms from PC
use. More than 90% of these workers
experience eye fatigue and pain.

nce%
78 perie
ex iguefatPhysical fatigue
and symptoms

78 ％Percentage of people
who feel physical fatigue
and symptoms from PC use.

Stress due to PC use
According to a 2004 survey by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor andWelfare, 40% of workers feel psychological stress from prolonged computer use.
In its “Guidelines for VDT work for Occupational Health” published in 2002, the Japanese
Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare refers tothe display terminals for PCs as “VDTs” (visualdisplay terminals) and issues guidelines for theiruse.

Eizo Nanao Corporation undertook a survey of the relationship between fatigue, monitors, andthe work environment for VDT work under the supervision and guidance of an ophthalmologist
and a VDT occupational safety and health education instructor. The results were surprising.

Report 1
When you lower brightness, the reduction in your ability to focus dropsby half and you feel less fatigued.
Comparison between fatigue levels after VDT work[％]
1520, 1542.4 ％.4% ss
42 l strefee

57.6 ％ feel stress
do notfeel stress

The percentage of people who
feel mental fatigue and stressfrom 6 hours or more of PCuse.

You can reduce eye fatigue!

Average increasein
near-point distancePhysical fatigue from PC use

The relationshipbetween PC use and eye fatigue

14.61 ％

10decrease

6.65 ％

50

7.96 ％
6.25 ％
decrease

0.4 ％1.Standard

2. Appropriatebrightness

3. Appropriate brightness +correct working postureand regular breaks

1. Average increase in near-point distance
The average increase in near-point accommodation increased by 14.61%, meaning
focus adjustment deteriorated.

2. Decreasing the monitor’s brightness leads to less eye fatigue.
The increase in near-point distance fell by about 50% (14.61% to 6.65%) when themonitor’s brightness was adjusted to an appropriate level compared to when it was atits maximum setting. This presumably led to less eye fatigue.

3. Working in accordance with VDT instruction further reduces eye fatigue.
In addition to adjusting the monitor’s brightness, working in accordance with VDTinstruction reduced the increase in near-point distance to 0.48% after a day of work.

2

See Reports 1-3

on pages 3-5.

* The higher the average near-point distance percentage (the closest point at which an object can be brought
into focus by the eye), the higher the fatigue. Results may vary between individuals.

3

The relationship between PC
use and eye fatigue
Report 2 2REPORT

Report 3

Proper brightness settings and correct PC use reduce bodily fatigue.

Correct PC use increases productivity by 12%.

Standardsettings

26

Appropriate
brightness
Appropriate
brightness+ VDT
instruction

2228

16030

152327122217204060

23

Quantity of VDT work per unit of time
Eye fatigue
Eye soreness
Eye dryness
Blurry vision
Heavy eyelids

1819

Reducedfatigue

1280

100

120

Value after VDT work*

140

Measurement condition

Measurement condition

Visual fatigue questionnaire results after VDT work

115
110105100

4.6 ％increase

Measurement condition

113726252520

Appropriate8brightness

3329272117

Appropriate
brightness
11 20+ VDTinstruction
0141350

1920

Reducedfatigue

14 10 18
100Value after VDT work*

150Headache
Neck pain
Fingers,Hand, Arm
BackLower backLegs
Mental stress200

4112.5 ％

104.6 ％

950

1.Standard

2. Appropriate
brightness

Measurement condition

Feelings of fatigue were reduced sequentially by “Standard settings”“Appropriate
brightness settings”“Appropriate brightness settings + VDT instruction.”*Results may vary between individuals.

increase

100 ％Bodily fatigue questionnaire results after VDT workStandardsettings

7.9 ％3. Appropriate brightness +correct working postureand regular breaks

To assess the effect on work efficiency, we totaled the number of characters inputted foreach measurement condition. Reducing monitor brightness to the appropriate level
improved work efficiency by 4.6%. Efficiency was also better – by another 7.9% – whenwork was done according to VDT work instruction. This proves that creating a proper
VDT work environment not only puts the mind and body at ease, but raises work
efficiency.
*Results may vary between individuals.

The settings of the monitor you use and the VDTworking conditions strongly influence eye andmind/body fatigue and determines work efficiency.
EIZO pursues ergonomics in its product development
so that PC users can use their monitors in a healthy
and comfortable way.
See the next page for details.

5

3 steps to preventing eye fatigue
Step 1: Adjust the screen to the proper settings
In a typical office where text entry work is done, we recommend matching the monitor’s
brightness to that of a sheet of paper. The monitor’s brightness should be lowered to 100 –150 cd/m 2 to match that of typical office lighting (300 – 500 lux). A monitor whosebrightness can be easily adjusted for different uses such as word processing or viewing
photos will also support a comfortable work environment.

Set your brightness
to the levelappropriate
for the task.

Brightness Adjustment Control
With LCD monitors, it is important that the brightness can be lowered while maintaining stable display
and without the screen flickering. With EIZO LCD
monitors, the duty controller used in the backlights
maintains stable, accurate display when the brightness
is lowered without the need for an added filter.

Color Temperature Adjustment
用途に応じた適切な輝度に合わせる

The tint of the monitor’s screen can be easily adjusted
to a color temperature of 5000 K which is typical for
an ambient light environment. Matching the tint of
the screen and your documents lessens the frequency
with which your eyes have to make color adaptations
while working.

25% brightness

Self-Adjustment Function
EIZO monitors identify the input signal from a PC
and automatically adjust the clock, phase, image
position, and size to prevent flickering and misalignment.

Fine Contrast“Fine Contrast” is an EIZO function for selecting
preset modes. For example, when using word processing or spreadsheet applications, selecting “Text”
mode adjusts the screen’s brightness and color
temperature more closely to the brightness and tint of
the paper on your desk. Switching between modes isdone simply by pressing a button on the monitor’s
front bezel. Furthermore, with EIZO’s ScreenManager Pro for LCD software, you can assign a presetmode to an application so that when the application isactivated, the screen automatically changes to theassigned mode.

Try to match thescreen‛s brightnessand tinge to thepaper‛s.

100% brightness

TextsRGB

CustomMovie
Changemodes at
the touch ofa button

PictureEyeCare Mode

EIZO LCD Monitors Not applicable to all models.
Auto brightness adjustment function (Auto EcoView/Bright Regulator)

This function uses a sensor on the front of themonitor to detect the ambient brightness and adjust
the monitor’s brightness accordingly. Not only doesit directly lighten the burden on your eyes caused by
the screen’s brightness, it also reduces the differencein brightness between the screen and your documents
for a comfortable VDT work environment. If you
adjust the brightness to your own preference, themonitor records both the screen’s and the ambient
brightness for reference the next time you adjust thebrightness.

6

Available with select models, EyeCare mode lowers
brightness to a mere 4 cd/m 2 or less. This ultra-low
brightness provides a more comfortable viewing
experience when working in an environment withvery dim ambient lighting such as a CAD studio.

Manager PC

EcoView NET

This power management software provides centralized control over the power settings of monitors on anetwork. With EcoView NET, a systems administrator can confirm the settings for each monitor on thenetwork and if necessary, take measures to combat
eye fatigue such as adjust the brightness or activate
Auto EcoView/Bright Regulator.
SensorPower savecommandReceive
dataOn!
オン !

NetworkOn！

Secondary Brightness Auto EcoView Off timer
power on/off
control
on/offsettings

7

3 steps to preventing eye fatigue
Step 2: Adjust the screen to the proper position
The height and angle your monitor screen is set to affects your work posture and theburden on your eyes. For the screen’s vertical height setting, your line of sight should bestraight ahead or directed slightly downward diagonally. The screen should be tilted
slightly upward so it is easy to view. Your eyes should be 40 cm or more from the screen
and your documents and keyboard should be at a comfortable distance. If necessary,adjust the screen’s angle so that outside and ambient light do not reflect off the screen.

EIZO LCD Monitors Not applicable to all models.
Stand Mechanism

EIZO monitors come equipped with stands that are easy to adjust to the ideal position.

FlexStand

HeightAdjustmentIt‛s importantthat the monitor
is neither too
high nor too low.

Sit down withyour backstraight andagainst theback of yourchair.

Proper posture helps
prevent eyefatigue.
Your line of sightshould be straightahead or slightly
downward.

Adjust thescreen‛s angle sothere is no reflection from outside
and ambient light.

EzUp standPortrait

Tilt

Right
90°

225mm

Tilt

Swivel

Right
90°

35°

344°

344°

Stands with a wide range of movement.

Height adjustable standHeightAdjustment

Portrait
Right
90°

TriStand
Tilt

HeightAdjustment

Swivel

40°

60 mm

(30°)
35°Tilt

Swivel

25°
344°

35°

Stands with height adjustment, tilt, and swivel.

Optional Arms

The distance to thescreen should be 40
cm or more. With widemonitors it should be
50 cm or more.

The soles ofyour shoes
should be flaton the floor.

A selection of arms lets you adjust thescreen to a wide range of positions.

Anti-Glare Treatment

A non-glare screen reduces eye fatigue by dissipating reflective light that
otherwise makes the screen difficult to see. For some monitors, an optional
shading hood is bundled or sold separately. The surface of the monitors’bezels is treated to prevent light reflection.
Incident
ray

Incident
ray

Reflected
ray

Reflectedray

Non-glare panel

8Height
Adjustment

SwivelGlare panel9

3 steps to preventing eye fatigue
Step 3: Take regular breaks
When using a PC, your eyes continually gaze at the monitor’s screen at a close distance so
the muscle of your eyes are always in a state of tension. After a certain period of time, they
begin to tire which leads to pain, dryness, and blurred vision. Once every 60 minutes you
should take 10-15 minutes of rest where you do a non-PC related task and spend a moment
looking off into the distance or blinking slowly. Other things you can do to increase work
efficiency and productivity are stand up, relieve any stiffness either by stretching or someother body movement, drink some liquids to promote blood flow throughout your body, or
any other activity to relax your mind and body.

Relaxing will improve
efficiencyandproductivity

Restyour eyes

EIZO LCD Monitors
EyeCare Utility
The latest version of ScreenManager Pro for LCD can be
downloaded for free fromwww.eizo.com.

EyeCare Utility is EIZO-developed software that helps promote better VDT work habits. It consists of an“EyeCare Reminder” function that reminds you to take scheduled breaks, and for your reference, an“EyeCare Recorder” function that records the number of hours you use your monitor.

Schedule Regular Breaks with EcoView NET
This power management software (see introductory explanation on page 7) can also be used to encourage
workers to take regular breaks. For example, a systems administrator can set monitors on a network topower off and then power on again for a period of time such as 10 minutes every day in the mid-afternoon.

Presence Sensor – EcoView Sense
An integrated presence sensor called EcoView Sense prompts the monitor to switch to power save mode
when it does not detect anyone, and then resume normal operation when the user returns. This ensuresenergy savings because the user no longer has to remember to turn off the monitor.

Relax

Power save mode is activatedwhen the user is away

10

Normal operation automaticallyresumes11How to Combat
Eye Fatigue Right Now
Change your work environmentby changing how you use your monitor
A brief guide that introduces survey
results about PC usage and eye fatigue
and what to do about it.

C ON T EN T S
80% of workers experience fatigue from PC use••••••••The relationship between PC use and eye fatigue•••••••1
2

3 steps to combat eye fatigue
1. Adjust the screen to the proper brightness
2. Adjust the screen to the proper position
153 Shimokashiwano, Hakusan, Ishikawa 924-8566 Japan
Phone +81-76-277-6792

3. Take regular breaks

Fax: +81-76-277-6793

www.eizo.comCopyright© 2010 Eizo Nanao Corporation.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••5
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