Contact lenses

Glasses or contact lenses are fine, as long as you dont have them tinted.

I have the light to the side of my laptop, or in front of me if I am reading and just glance at it every 30 seconds~ish.

You need to make sure it is close enough to be effective in the time you use it. That depends on the statistics of your light. If it is too far away you will nedd to stay longer.

According to the information that I received from SADA (the SAD Charity) there is no harm in looking directly at the light, in fact the light is supposed to shine directly into your eyes for effect. Lights are not more than 10,000 lux and a bright summers day delivers 100,000 lux which is 10x brighter. The sun is millions of times brighter and is, as you said, dangerous to stare at, but the light wont do any damage. (according to the information I have been given, im not an expert.)
But the light dose need to go into the back of the retina to stimulte the nerves there that promote setotonin production. The more light gets in the faster the effect.

Look at the light, every few mins (i do every 30 secs, but that's just me) but dont stare. if you get a headache then turn it off for a few mins.

Hope that helps, Colin