Do you count yourself as someone who spends a significant portion of their day staring at a computer screen? Then you’ve undoubtedly noticed your eyes burning, your neck hurting, your vision blurring, or your head throbbing. Focusing too much on one thing could cause fatigue and discomfort in the eyes.
The growing frequency of long-term screen time has increased in digital eye strain cases. Eye strain may be uncomfortable, but it’s typically mild and will go away with relaxation. Although you cannot eliminate the number of hours you are glued to computers or other possible causes of strain on your eyes, you can still take steps to reduce the issue.
Computer Eye Strain Prevention
In most cases, eyestrain can be relieved using over-the-counter medications for pain and minutes of concentrated eye exercises. But, a preventative approach can be a viable option when looking for a permanent solution to this problem. There are suggested ways to lessen the strain on your eyes caused by long-term computer usage.
1. Get an Eye Test
A comprehensive eye exam done at eye center in Bloomington, Indiana every year is recommended for any job that frequently requires computer use. This exam aims to determine whether there is a change in your vision or to find any eye problems. Inform your eye doctor about how much time you spend in front of a screen. Before the test, you should check whether your eyes can see the computer screen. Eye doctors will be pleased to be capable of examining your eyes from that distance.
2. Adjust Lighting
It is helpful to turn on the lamp to reduce eye strain while studying or focusing. If you want to focus on a computer monitor, try to make the brightness of the screen match that of the illumination in the room. Modern electronic screens shine with intense luminosity. These screens cause strain on the eyes in dim lighting. Eye strain is also caused due to reflections from glare. Filters that block glare are an excellent option. They’re compatible with most displays, so you may use them on your phone or laptop. Anti-reflective coatings are worth the cost for those who wear glasses and contact lenses.
3. Take Breaks
To reduce eye strain, taking frequent breaks from your computer is essential. When you need to stare at something close up, your eyes become tired and stretched. It is recommended to follow the rule 20-20-20 as one method for avoiding this situation. Remove eyes from your screen every 20 minutes and fix your gaze on an area at least 20 yards away for 20 minutes.
4. Change Workspace
Reading, drawing, or working on anything small using your hands are all activities that might cause eye strain. Changes to your workspace and habits could be the best way to decrease eye strain while at work. According to experts, the screen of your computer should be a minimum of 16 inches from your face. You can also make the font larger, adjust your screen’s brightness, or change your monitor’s color scheme to warmer reds and yellows.
5. Blink
Dry eyes could also be caused by making your eyes work harder than they need to. This is because focusing on something causes you to blink less often. Dry eyes are identified by a burning or scratching sensation, excessive tears, and discharge. Similarly, you may feel uncomfortable, like something was lodged inside your eye. Fake tears are a quick solution when you think your eyes are drying from staring at a screen for too long.
If you’re experiencing eye strain and want to see an optometrist in Bloomington, IN, you can do so by contacting a respected clinic either online or over the phone.