Build an ergonomic home office

The close proximity of your monitor to a window can also cause eyestrain as your eyes try to focus on two kinds of light. If you can't move the monitor, place it perpendicular to the window, draw the blinds, or attach an antiglare screen.

Glare from indoor lighting is also your eyes' enemy. Try to keep ambient light at a level equal to the brightness of your monitor. If dimming overhead lights makes it hard to read papers on your desk, consider placing a lamp behind or adjacent to your display. Though an ordinary desk lamp with a full-spectrum or "soft light" bulb will do, an ergonomic unit such as the Ergo Works True Color Task Lamp may be even better. Just be sure to avoid pointing the light at your screen.

Finally, if you're still using a CRT, consider switching to an LCD. Not only do LCDs produce less glare than CRTs, they're flicker-free because their screens aren't constantly refreshing the image. If you can't afford to switch, make sure your CRT's refresh rate is set to 85Hz or faster, even if you have to reduce the resolution. If you're ready to upgrade, consider an LCD with a DVI connector for its sharper image.

Remember the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen at an object roughly 20 feet away, and keep your eyes there for at least 20 seconds. The Stretch Break program mentioned in step 1 can help you remember to perform this exercise.