What Is the Difference Between Reading Glasses and Computer Glasses?

Reading glasses are worn for a distance of about 30 centimeters, the distance at which you read a book or newspaper. A monitor is further away, an average of 50 to 70 centimetres. That sounds like a small difference, but in front of your eyes, it's not. With reading glasses at that distance, you see the screen blurry and your body compensates for that by itself: you slide forward, tilt your head, pull your shoulders up. Without realizing it, you are in a tense position all day long.

In addition, screen work naturally requires long-term focus at a fixed distance. Our eyes are naturally made for variety. Staring at the same point on the same screen for eight hours tires the eye muscles, and wearing glasses that don't fit for that working distance only increases that fatigue.

Monitor glasses are designed for exactly that working distance. The eyes no longer have to strain to focus. The posture improves naturally, the eye muscles relax and you'll notice the difference at the end of the day.

When Do You Need Screen Glasses?

Not everyone who works behind a screen automatically needs screen glasses. The following signs are a clear indication that you do need one:

• Your eyes are tired, dry, or burning at the end of a working day
• You regularly have headaches after working at a computer
• You experience neck or shoulder problems related to your working position
• You close your eyes or sit closer to the screen to see more clearly
• On average, you work in front of a monitor for more than two hours a day

To really make sure you need screen glasses, you can always schedule an eye test with one of the 400+ Hans Anders opticians near you.

Do Screen Glasses Really Work?

Yes, but only if the glasses are tailored to your situation. Standard reading glasses from the drug store have a fixed strength and are made for one distance. Prescription glasses are measured by an optician, who takes into account your eye condition, the distance from your screen and what your workplace looks like.

Do you work all day long at a fixed workplace behind one screen? Then a single glass is often sufficient for that distance. If you vary a lot, from screen to paper to colleagues around you, progressive lenses are a better choice. They give you sharp vision at multiple distances at the same time, without the need for different glasses every time. The optician at Hans Anders advises which version suits your work situation. This way, you get glasses that really do what they need to do.

What Exactly Is Bluefilter and Why Is It Relevant?

Displays emit blue light with a short wavelength. This short wavelength provides more light scattering, making it more difficult for your eyes to focus. The result: tired eyes, less blinking and a higher risk of sleeping problems when used at night.

A blue filter coating on the lenses filters out some of this blue light. This gives more rest to the eyes, reduces glare and makes for a more comfortable screen image during prolonged use. We recommend that you bring bluefilter as standard, especially for employees who spend a lot of evening hours behind a screen.

Does an Employer Have to Reimburse Screen Glasses?

Yes, this obligation is set out in the Working Conditions Decree, article 5.11. Employers are obliged to offer their employees the opportunity for an eye exam when they work on the screen. If that study shows that screen glasses are necessary, the employer reimburses the costs. This also applies to employees who already wear reading glasses.

The most common choice in practice is an implementation arrangement, where you, as an employer, determine in advance which glasses, coatings and frames will be reimbursed. This way, every employee knows where they stand and you, as an organization, remain in control.

How Do You Arrange Screen Glasses for Your Employees?

Seeh provides the display glasses scheme completely digitally, from ordering to billing. Employees order via a personal order form and have themselves measured at one of the more than 400 Hans Anders locations, where qualified opticians recommend the right lenses and frames. You keep an overview via a central portal.

Do you want to know what a scheme costs for your organization? Calculate it directly with our calculator or take contact join our team.