You may not think that having a back ache while using a computer has anything to do with your eyes, but think again! As we often hear, "The Eyes Lead the Body" so our bodies will adapt and change to make it easier for our eyes to see. And that is especially true for computer work.

If you are using reading glasses, which allow you to see reading material clearly at 16", they may be blurred while looking at your computer monitor, which might be closer to 25" away. To see it clearly, you’ll need to lean forward, which can strain your lower back. Studies have shown that long term computer users complain more of back strain. To resolve this problem, your eye doctor should be aware of the distance of your computer screen and prescribe glasses which make this distance clear.

Also, if your monitor happens to be located off to one side, then you’ll have to turn your head to see it. This head turning can lead to neck and/or shoulder pain. Make sure your monitor is directly in front of you, if you look at it the most. If you do data entry from hard copy, make sure that the hard copy is directly in front of you. In general, whichever task you do the most should be directly in line with your body posture. Good back support is also essential for any job requiring long hours of sitting.