Why Anti-Glare Screens Matter for Medical Computers

Anti-glare screens are critical for using computers for extended periods of time, especially in areas with harsh lighting like hospital wards.

If you've ever used a computer or smartphone (and who hasn't at this point?), then you've probably dealt with trying to see your screen through the harsh glare reflecting on it.

Dealing with screen glare can lead to eye strain, headaches, and even neck and shoulder pain as users crane and twist their heads to see better. This is such an issue that the American Optometric Association has labeled it “computer vision syndrome.” Sadly, screen glare is inevitable in areas with harsh lighting, such as operating rooms and assembly lines. In these places, visibility of the environment is critical, and screen glare is a secondary concern.

Thankfully, there is a solution: anti-glare screens and filters can be installed on devices to cut through the glare and ensure visibility.

How do Anti-Glare Screens Work?

Anti-glare screens (also called anti-glare filters) consist of a coating or film over the screen's surface to help disperse light, which keeps it from reflecting off the glass and into the user's eyes. Anti-glare screens were first used on eyeglasses to let people with poor eyesight continue using them while outdoors.

This same technology can also be applied to a computer’s monitor, filtering out the harshest of light while still giving the computer’s user a clear view of the screen. Anti-glare screens can be added to the monitor during assembly or attached to it afterward via adhesives or magnets.

Types of Anti-Glare Screens

Anti-glare screens come in two primary forms:

- Matte anti-glare screens provide a slightly textured surface to disperse light. This can also make images slightly fuzzier and alter the colors on the screen.

- Glossy anti-glare screens combine their anti-glare coating with a glossy finish that helps maintain image sharpness.

Applications for Anti-Glare Screens

Thanks to the clarity they offer, anti-glare screens are a natural addition to computers in several different sectors. They are particularly popular in the healthcare sector, as medical computers are often used in areas with very harsh lighting, like operating rooms and hospital wards. While intense lighting is necessary so that providers can see documents or a patient's body while operating, it comes with the drawback of obscuring computer monitors in the area. This makes equipping any medical computers or monitors in the area with anti-glare screens essential.

Considerations For Anti-Glare Screens

Just like with any other upgrade or add-on, there are questions to consider before adding an anti-glare filter to your computer. The most common questions include:

What type of anti-glare screen is right for you?

When selecting an anti-glare screen, remember that they can alter a display’s colors and fidelity. While some applications, such as the user interface for an assembly line, do not require extreme fidelity, others (such as medical diagnostic imaging) do. Matte screens do a better job of blocking out glare than glossy screens, but they do slightly affect the display's image quality.

How do you plan to clean the screen?

Anti-glare screens on the outside of the screen can be damaged by conventional glass cleaning solutions or abrasive scrubbing. This issue can be avoided by using specialized cleaning solutions and microfiber cloths or using a display where the anti-glare filter is on the inside of the monitor.

Where will the anti-glare filter go?

Putting the anti-glare screen behind the glass protects it from harsh cleaning or environmental factors, but this can only be done during the manufacturing and assembly phases. Therefore, getting computers with internal anti-glare screens will require working with a capable original equipment manufacturer (OEM) who can provide that sort of customization.

Final Thoughts

An effective anti-glare filter can be critical for maintaining your computer’s effectiveness in a harsh lighting environment. After all, all the information in the world is useless if you can’t actually see it.

If your healthcare group or business is looking for computers with integrated anti-glare screens, contact the team at Cybernet Manufacturing. Our range of medical and industrial computers can be customized with internal anti-glare screens, preserving visibility even in the harshest lighting conditions.