Do you need a screen test?

To avoid glare, you should also sit at right angles to any windows or lights. If it’s impossible to change the position of your desk, at least ensure any windows directly in front or behind you have blinds or curtains.

Taking steps to minimise stress in general may also benefit your eyes, according to a study published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Researchers questioned 200 employees and found that eye strain attributed to computer monitors is really about employee dissatisfaction with working conditions. All employees questioned shared the same environment and work duties, yet those who found their jobs more stressful – that is, they had a lack of social support, low self-esteem and low levels of work satisfaction – were more likely to suffer from eye strain.

Stressed or not, your employer is legally obliged to pay for a full eye examination if you use a VDU and to pay for basic glasses if you need them specifically for VDU use. They are also obliged to ensure you have adequate breaks or changes in activity to relieve visual fatigue. Remind your boss of that fact when he next catches you gossiping by the vending machine.

For extra tips on eyes and VDUs from The Eyecare Trust and for more details on your legal rights, visit The Eyecare Trust