External Screen Glare:
To evaluate external screen glare look at the reflected light from your screen; when your monitor is off.
Obviously, the easiest way to eliminate glare is to "control" your external lighting environment.
Here are your options to take control:
A. Move away, or get away, from the light.
If you can't get away, then get into the shade.
B. Stop the light outside, before it gets inside.
Use window blinds and/or dark- lined curtains.
C. Put room lights where, and when, they are needed.
Directly illuminate the work, not the room or work space.
Do not use ceiling and non- directional "area- wide" lighting fixtures.
Keep glare out of your eyes, use metal shades and position your light sources below your eye- level.
To position your light source directly over your work space use [adjustable mechanical arm] engineering draftsman and bridge lamps, with metal shades and dimmer switches, in place of table lamps.
Use a piano or picture frame lamp, with metal shade and dimmer switch, to directly illuminate the keyboard.
Use high intensity directional lamps, with metal shades and dimmer switches, for reading and work surfaces.
Individual electric extension cords, with built in dimmer switches, are available at most Hardware Stores.
D. Remove or cover all reflective surfaces.
Mirrors and bright colors accentuate available light.
Use cloth- backed flat- black vinyl for table spaces and work surfaces.
External Screen Applications:
Sometimes external lighting environments are beyond your "control".
Here are some of the options and applications available for home and work place:
1. Anti- glare Filters And Screen Protectors:
Your choices include: tinted, smoked, polarized, "ground- glass", or friznel type framed clear plastic lens.
Be aware that, like dark- screen television, "dark" tinted screen protectors alone may also reflect glare from their surface.
Look to smoked, polarized, "ground- glass", or friznel type plastic lens.
Screen protectors are made to fit over the monitor's screen face.
Some fit better than others.
For "do -it- yourselfers" plastic sheets can be purchased and cut to order at local commercial plastic suppliers.
Before buying be sure to gather small samples to determine, [what you can live with], and see which works best for your sight.
"Velcro" [dots, squares, or strips] can be used to attach at the front corners of the monitor.
Self adhesive velcro is not recommended.
Use "Goop [brand] Household Adhesive And Sealant" for a flexible bond to a variety of materials.
"Goop" [brand] can be found at many grocery, variety, hardware and building supply stores.
2. Anti- glare Filters And Film Treatments:
A wide variety of thin- sheet anti- glare films are available for home and automobile.
Choices usually are tinted, smoked, polarized, "ground- glass", or friznel type clear plastic film.
Be sure to gather samples to determine, [what you can live with], and see which works best for your sight.
Be aware that tinting alone will only change the color of the glare.
Look to smoked, polarized, "ground- glass", or friznel type clear plastic film.
Warning, anti- glare films are usually shrink- wrapped [heat sensitive] self- adhesive and are usually applied directly to the glass surface.
Some films are available in kit- form for do -it- yourself application.
However, to avoid "Wrinkles and Air Bubbles", anti- glare film applications should be done by an experienced professional.
See your local window and auto glass installers.
Short of experience, or professional installation, anti- glare films should be applied over clear sheet plastic to minimize the risk of wrinkles and air bubbles.
Plastic sheets can be purchased and cut to order at local commercial plastic suppliers.
"Velcro" can be used to attach at the front corners of the monitor.
3. Anti- glare Mesh Defuser:
Mesh defusers are "low- cost low- tech", and not commercially available.
A do -it- yourself alternative is to frame several thicknesses of dark nylon mesh to defuse screen glare.
Find how many thicknesses work for you.
Tighten and set into a flat plastic frame.
Use velcro to attach at the front corners of the monitor.
For variable sight this option can be used to make several thicknesses of dark nylon mesh on several frames.
This would allow the flat plastic frames to be attached over each other, as glare and your sight needs change.
Each layer of mesh darkens both glare and screen output.
However, like dark screen television, several thicknesses of mesh appear to enhance the color contrast of screen image output.
4. Anti- glare Monitor Hoods:
When working in indirect overhead lighting both you and your computer need a visor to provide shade.
There are several commercial sources for hoods which fit over the outside of the monitor.
Some fit better than others.
A do -it- yourselfer, with experience in pattern making, can use cardboard, posterboard, or flexible sheet vinyl, with fabric -backed- vinyl adhesive tape, to construct a "custom" hood.
Velcro can be used to attach the hood over the monitor's body. Be sure to leave air circulation vents uncovered.
5. Free Standing [six foot] Tri- fold Screen Divider [furniture]:
A wooden, wicker, or fabric screen divider will defuse backlighting.
Drape more fabric over the screen divider to stop backlighting.
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