The Dr. Bill Takeshita Foundation

Last Modified: Thu, 16 Aug 2007

Computers are one of the most beneficial tools for children, students, and adults with vision impairment. There are many ways to help patients with low vision to use their computers more easily to read e-mail, surf the internet, and use their favorite programs.

Computer Glasses

Optometrists can design specialized glasses that can magnify the print, increase the contrast of images, reduce glare, and reduce eyestrain for computer users with low vision. Many people with vision problems can be helped by simply wearing the correct glasses. Most glasses are designed to either focus on street signs, or books held at a distance of 13 inches and this is why they don’t focus well on computer screen. Ask your doctor to design a special pair of glasses that will focus at the distance of your computer monitor. Be sure to provide your doctor with the distance between the screen and your eyes, the size of your screen, and the distance of your keyboard.

Computer Monitors

The purchase of a computer monitor is one of the most valuable investments for computer users with blurred sight. Larger monitors provide a significant level of magnification and can also provide a wider field of view. There are primarily two types of monitors: a CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor. The CRT monitors are larger and bulkier than the LCD monitors and are available in 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23-inch models. They are excellent for people who play video games and they provide excellent images. CRT monitors are more affordable than LCD monitors an a 19” CRT monitor can be purchased for under $200.00. When shopping for a CRT monitor, look for those with a dot pitch of .23 mm. Or less.

LCD monitors are much thinner, lighter, and they take up much less desk space than CRT monitors. LCD monitors are available in 15, 17, 19, and 21-inch models. Although they may state the same screen size as a CRT screen, the usable area of the LCD monitor is larger and thus a 17” LCD screen will provide a larger image than a 17” CRT monitor. LCD monitors use less energy, emit less heat and radiation, and thus are recommended to computer users who sit very close to the screen. The cost of a LCD monitor is approximately 20 to 25 percent more than CRT monitors. When purchasing a LCD monitor, one should choose one with a response rate of 0.8 ms. A 19 inch LCD monitor is generally the best value for computer users with blurred sight.

Computer Stands

Computer arms and stands can be very helpful to computer users who prefer to get closer to their computer screens. Monitor arms can clamp to the desk and the monitor can then be moved to various distances and positions. This eliminates head, neck, and back strain that often develops as a result of users leaning towards the screen.  Position the monitor away from windows and sources of glare.  Make sure that there are no windows and glare sources that cause reflections on the commuter monitor  Try to turn off overhead room lights and use a desk lamp to illuminate the work areas near the computer.

Large Print Keyboards

There are stickers with large letters that can be place on the keys of a keyboard. Special keyboards are also available with larger keys and large letters for easy viewing. The price of the stickers are $24.00 and the keyboards range from $100 to $150.