Flat Panel Monitor and your eyes

Q: I just purchased a flat-panel monitor for my teen daughter. How can I be sure that it is set properly in terms of brightness and contrast ? She uses Windows XP.

A: Let’s start at the top. Flat-panel monitors look best at their native resolution. This should be in the monitor’s specifications. It will be a number like 1024 X 768. 

Most monitors have buttons that let you set brightness, contrast, focus, readability, convergence and more. In there, you may find a button that will bring the monitor back to its default settings. Those are the factory settings. Or better yet, your monitor may have come with software that helps set it up properly. 

If your monitor did not come with software and you can't deal with the monitor's buttons, there is hope. Just download and use the Nokia Test. This free utility helps set any monitor for optimum display. You'll find it here. 

Don’t forget about your environment. To prevent eye strain, your monitor should be at least 25 inches from your eyes, preferably more. Plus, you want the viewing area of the monitor to be between 15-degrees and 50-degrees below horizontal eye level. 

Lighting is important, too. You want to use indirect lighting in your office or work area and avoid overhead fluorescent lights. If necessary, install blinds or shades to control outside light. I have halogen spotlights in my office. They can get a little bright. To fix that, I put a dimmer switch in my office. I find it works best when the lights are adjusted to about 75 percent.