Behöver jag terminalglasögon även om jag har progressiva?

Svar från Åsa, legitimerad optiker: Ja, det kan du absolut behöva. Progressiva glasögon är utmärkta för vardagligt bruk, men de är inte optimerade för skärmarbete under längre perioder. När du sitter vid datorn hamnar skärmens placering ofta utanför det optimala synfältet i progressiva glas. Terminalglas är specialanpassade för att ge dig en avslappnad synhållning vid skrivbordet – och det märks både i ögonen och i nacken.

Vad är skillnaden mellan terminalglasögon och progressiva glasögon?

Svar från Åsa, legitimerad optiker: Terminalglasögon och progressiva glasögon fungerar på olika sätt och är anpassade för olika behov i vardagen. Progressiva glasögon är gjorda för att fungera på flera avstånd samtidigt, till exempel när du vill se både långt bort, på mellanavstånd och nära håll i samma glas. De är ett bra alternativ för många situationer men vid längre perioder framför dator kan det vara bättre med ett par glas som är anpassade specifikt för situationen. Terminalglasögon är särskilt anpassade för arbete vid dator och skärm. Glasen optimeras efter det avstånd du faktiskt arbetar på vilket gör att du får ett bredare och mer komfortabelt synfält framför skärmen. Det hjälper många att minska spänningar i nacke och axlar samtidigt som ögonen får arbeta mer avslappnat. Vilken lösning som passar bäst beror på hur du arbetar och hur din arbetsmiljö ser ut. För den som sitter många timmar framför datorn brukar terminalglasögon ge en tydlig skillnad i komfort under arbetsdagen.

Får jag terminalglasögon betalda av min arbetsgivare?

Svar från Åsa, legitimerad optiker: Ja, det har du faktiskt rätt till om behovet finns. Enligt Arbetsmiljöverkets föreskrifter (AFS 1998:5) ska arbetsgivaren bekosta terminalglasögon om en synundersökning visar att du behöver särskilda glas för skärmarbete. Det är ganska vanligt, särskilt om du sitter vid datorn flera timmar om dagen. Vi hjälper dig gärna att göra rätt typ av synundersökning och fylla i underlag för din arbetsgivare.

Hur vet jag om jag behöver terminalglasögon?

Svar från Åsa, legitimerad optiker: Många som kommer till mig beskriver huvudvärk, trötta ögon eller stel nacke efter en arbetsdag vid datorn – och ofta handlar det om att ögonen anstränger sig mer än de borde. Om du känner igen dig i det, kan det vara dags att boka en synundersökning. Då tittar vi på hur du ser på olika avstånd och hur ditt arbete påverkar din synmiljö. Det är första steget mot en mer avslappnad arbetsdag.

What exactly are computer glasses?

November 5, 2026 | Clinical

Computer glasses – Why are they needed?
How do screens affect our eyes?
Blue light?
Is there anything that can be done about blue light?
The wrong pair of glasses, or no glasses at all?
Do I need computer glasses?
What are the employer’s obligations regarding computer glasses?
How much do computer glasses cost?
Agreement regarding terminal glasses
Ergonomics
Tips on ergonomics and working at a computer screen

Computer glasses – Why are they needed?

In this blog post, I’m going to try to explain what terminal glasses are, as well as when and why they’re needed. First of all, we need a bit of background.

On average, we spend around 7 hours a day in front of a screen. Young people spend even more time than that, and according to surveys, many teenagers wake up in the middle of the night to check their mobiles.

In the span of a human lifetime, we have changed our behaviour so drastically in such a short space of time that we can safely say that nothing compares to this digital revolution that we have witnessed in recent years. This is even more true now, in this new situation where many of us are working or studying from home and meeting in digital spaces rather than in meeting rooms.

How do screens affect our eyes?

As I said, it probably wasn’t really the intention that our eyes would be staring at a screen to the extent that we do today. Many people will probably recognise symptoms such as red, gritty and tired eyes at the end of the day. Every day, I see customers who come in with these symptoms, and in many cases it’s down to wearing the wrong glasses or not wearing any at all.

Blue light?

Overexposure to blue light from screens, tablets and LED lights affects our brains, and research shows that it disrupts the sleep hormone melatonin, leading to poorer sleep and disrupting our natural circadian rhythm. It can also cause eye conditions such as AMD (changes in the macula) and cataracts.

Is there anything that can be done about blue light?

The simple answer is to spend less time in front of a screen or to ensure you have the best possible conditions to avoid the consequences of exposure. To protect your eyes in the long term, a blue light filter fitted to your spectacle lenses is a good way of filtering out the harmful blue light whilst allowing the beneficial light through. In this way, you avoid overexposure to the light that is considered harmful to us.

Blue light filters form part of the anti-reflective coating and have a slight residual reflection. The lenses have a very subtle yellow tint that is barely noticeable. Your glasses look essentially the same as usual, but with all the benefits to help you maintain your eyesight for life. With our premium lenses, the blue light filter is an option you, as a customer, can choose at no extra cost.

The wrong pair of glasses, or no glasses at all?

Wearing the wrong glasses, or no glasses at all, can lead to headaches and red, tired eyes. Many people also experience neck problems as they are forced to look through the wrong part of the lenses if they wear varifocals.

Just as you need trainers when you go running or different clothes for various activities, we sometimes need to adapt our vision and glasses to a specific distance or purpose.
This means we have to adjust our glasses to the distance at which we are forcing our eyes to focus for all those hours. Most people find that they experience fewer headaches, have more energy to concentrate and feel more alert in their eyes when wearing the right computer glasses.

Do I need computer glasses?

That’s a question that’s difficult to answer in a blog post. If you recognise these symptoms, it might be a good idea to have an eye test. Following an eye test, your optician will be able to tell you whether or not you need computer glasses.

If you live in Stockholm or are passing by, you’re very welcome to pop in for an eye test.

What are the employer’s obligations regarding computer glasses?

I’m often asked whether there’s any legislation regarding computer glasses. There is.

If an employee spends more than one hour a day working at a computer screen, they are entitled to have their eyes tested to determine whether they require computer glasses. In accordance with AFS 1998:5 ‘Work at Computer Screens’ and AFS 1998:1 ‘Ergonomics of Physical Strain’.

Requisition for safety glasses

How much do computer glasses cost?

As with many other things, there are different price ranges when it comes to computer glasses. On the one hand, you need to choose a frame that you find comfortable to wear and that you feel looks good on you. On the other hand, you need lenses that are tailored to you and your working situation.

One brand that’s very popular with us when it comes to computer glasses is Metro. It’s a Swedish brand that we’re very happy with. You can, of course, choose whichever frames you like; as I said, the important thing is that they’re comfortable to wear and that you feel good looking in them.

Agreement regarding terminal glasses

Many employers have agreements in place regarding computer glasses. If you are an employer reading this post, you are very welcome to contact us to discuss agreements for your staff.

Ergonomics

Did you know that your head weighs 2–3 times as much when you tilt it forwards, as you do when using a mobile phone or tablet? Laptops can also cause you to adopt this forward-leaning posture. Your muscles then have to compensate for this and can easily become tense after a while.

Tips on ergonomics and working at a computer screen

Varying distances are best of all
Adjust your computer screen. The contrast can be adjusted on almost all screens, and you can increase the font size to minimise strain on your eyes.
Lighting around your computer. It is important to ensure that there are no bright lights around your computer that might cause glare.
Blink frequently to prevent your eyes from drying out. Most of us blink less often when we’re looking at a computer screen. This leads to dry eyes. Here are some moisturising eye drops that can help
The 20/20 rule. Take a break for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes and look at something at least 20 metres away. This allows the muscle inside the eye to relax.
The head should be between the shoulders and held straight.
Keep your gaze directed downwards by about 20 degrees to avoid a ‘stiff neck’ and to prevent your eyes from drying out, as a wider blink results in drier eyes
The chair should be adjusted so that your feet can rest on the floor without dangling or being too close to the floor
It must be possible for the arms to rest at a 90-degree angle on the table at the elbow joint
No glaring light
The right glasses, tailored specifically to you and your vision

Do I need computer glasses even if I have varifocals?

Answer from Åsa, a qualified optician:

Yes, you may well need them. Progressive lenses are excellent for everyday use, but they are not optimised for working at a screen for long periods. When you’re sitting at a computer, the screen is often positioned outside the optimal field of vision provided by progressive lenses. Computer glasses are specially designed to give you a relaxed visual posture at your desk – and you’ll notice the difference in both your eyes and your neck.

What is the difference between computer glasses and progressive lenses?

Answer from Åsa, a qualified optician:

Computer glasses and progressive lenses work in different ways and are designed for different everyday needs.

Progressive glasses are designed to work at several distances simultaneously, for example when you want to see far away, at intermediate distances and up close with the same pair of glasses. They are a good option for many situations, but for longer periods spent in front of a computer, it may be better to have a pair of glasses specifically tailored to that situation.

Computer glasses are specially designed for working at a computer or on a screen. The lenses are optimised for the distance at which you are actually working, giving you a wider and more comfortable field of vision in front of the screen. This helps many people to reduce tension in the neck and shoulders, whilst allowing the eyes to work in a more relaxed manner.

The best solution depends on how you work and what your working environment is like. For those who spend many hours in front of a computer, computer glasses usually make a noticeable difference to comfort throughout the working day.

Will my employer pay for my computer glasses?

Answer from Åsa, a qualified optician:

Yes, you are actually entitled to them if there is a need. According to the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s regulations (AFS 1998:5), your employer must cover the cost of computer glasses if an eye test shows that you need special lenses for screen work. This is quite common, especially if you spend several hours a day at a computer. We’d be happy to help you arrange the right sort of eye test and fill in the necessary paperwork for your employer.

How do I know if I need computer glasses?

Answer from Åsa, a qualified optician:

Many people who come to see me describe headaches, tired eyes or a stiff neck after a day’s work at the computer – and often this is because their eyes are straining more than they should. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to book an eye test. We’ll then assess how well you see at different distances and how your work affects your visual environment. It’s the first step towards a more relaxed working day.