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Can staring at a computer screen cause you physical harm?

What is the best way to view a computer screen? The U. S. Government's Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) conducted research on this question. They concluded that excessive viewing of a computer screen at the wrong angle can cause headaches, eyestrain, and aching muscles. Their studies also found that the safest angle for viewing a computer screen is 15 to 20 degrees below eye level.

Young student looking at her computer screen.

Do you think the student in this picture is viewing her laptop at the right angle to avoid injury? It's hard to tell just looking by at the picture. You would need to measure this student's angle of view to find out if it falls within the safe range.

Question

What factors affect the "angle of viewing," or how someone looks at a computer screen?

For all computers, a person's seating arrangement and posture--and the placement of the computer--will affect the angle of viewing. If the person is using a laptop computer, the angle at which the screen is tilted may also be a factor.