computer Vision Syndrome, are several eye and vision-related issues due to spending in front of digital devices for a longer period of time. The common eye strain symptoms are red eyes, artificial tears, dry eye symptoms, headaches, increased sensitivity to light, etc.

If you spend most of your time in front of the computer or any other electronic devices, there are activities you can carry out to give your eyes a break and reduce the negative impact of staring at the screen. It seems that we spend eight hours a day in front of our computers, but if you work from home, this doesn’t remain limited to just eight hours.

The most important aspect is to pay attention to the eyes and give them the rest and regular breaks they need. If you have trouble turning away from work, setting a timer is a great way to remind yourself to give your eye a break. The more time you can give them the breaks and adjustments they need, the better.

There are several steps you can take to reduce the negative impact of screen-staring, such as frequent breaks, a proper workplace, wearing blue light lenses, and so on. Fortunately, some simple lifestyle changes can help protect your eyes from the negative effects of screen time. Too many screens, light, and distractions can overstrain your vision and lead to a situation that ultimately puts harmful pressure on your eyes.

Proper Sitting Postures

Maintaining a proper sitting posture while working is actually your first line of defense against eye strain. A poor posture while working can lead to eye discomfort. To prevent eye tension, try to calm your eyes while working on your computer for longer periods of time. You may not realize this, but your posture and the strain in your eyes are related.

woman in black and white plaid dress shirt using laptop computer

To minimize the risk of dry eyes when using your computer, make an effort to blink frequently. Look up to look away from the screen for a few seconds, and allow your eyes to refocus. Also, readjust the display settings as per the natural light or other light sources around you.

 Regular eye checkups

A regular eye exam is also a good way to monitor and reduce the symptoms of Digital Eye Strain. Regular eye exams and physical examinations can help you to prevent and reduce symptoms associated with digital eye stress such as dry eyes.

white eye testing machine

Giving your eyes a break

Many people blink too little while working on computers, which can contribute to dry eyes. Try to make sure you blink more often when you look at your screen and blink less when you’re at home.

In a desk job, it is typical to stare at the screen for hours, but ophthalmologists (eye doctor) strongly recommend taking breaks to reduce eye fatigue and unnecessary eye strain. Give your eyes a break during the day by looking away from the screen and taking a walk out of the room. If your eyes are itching or irritating you, you can put eye drops in them.

Computer glasses

Computer glasses help to avoid blurred vision and computer-related headaches by optimizing vision when looking at the screen. They have an anti-reflective coating that helps eliminate reflections on the front and back of the lenses, reducing the effects of harmful blue light and giving the person some relief. There are various types of lenses used in computer glasses eg, trifocal lenses, bifocal lenses, etc.

eyeglasses lot

Even if you adapt your office environment to the best light and technology to prevent eye strain, work from home can become unhealthy due to poor lighting conditions e.g, working under fluorescent tubes.

Proper Lightning Conditions

If you work from home, make sure your computer or laptop is set up correctly. Proper lighting in your working space is essential to reduce the strain on your eyes. If there is too much light in a room, whether from sunlight or indoor lighting, the pressure on the eyes can maximize the risk of causing pain and other vision problems.

 

20-20-20 rule

To reduce the digital eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule; place your eyes at least 20 feet away from your computer or laptop. Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away. Also, keep the screen equal to your eye level.

Looking at a computer screen or mobile phone for a long time puts pressure on the optical system, which leads to eye strain, headaches, eye pain, and other eye problems. Uncorrected vision distresses can increase the risk of eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, or cataracts. Hence watching a screen on your computer or digital device makes your eyes more susceptible to symptoms related to vision problems such as headaches and eye irritation, as well as eye fatigue and vision loss.

eye straining

In this article, we’ve covered some of the methods that can be followed to reduce the stress on the eyes while working on the screen. Comment or let us know if you have tried something else that helps. Look into this space for more eye health tips.
For more such articles, click here!