Eye strain involves dryness, redness, and tiredness of the eyes, which can be brought about by extensively using a computer, smartphone, or gadgets. Blinking fast, tearing, and eye weakness are also some of the manifestations of eye strain. Neglecting this can result in serious eye or vision problems.
Below are some helpful ways to prevent eye strain after too much screen time:
1. Get an Eye Exam
Using smartphones and other mobile devices for many hours a day can lead to eye strain. As a result, this will speed up the aging process of the eyes, which leads to early vision changes.
As a tip, don’t neglect any vision changes. If you experience eyestrain – frequent blinking, headaches, and obvious changes in vision – you have to consult an eye doctor right away. Check this website for more details.
Since almost all family members are using gadgets, it’s essential to see an eye doctor at least once a year. If you’re not wearing corrective lenses, non-prescription eyewear or eyeglasses can be applied to protect the eyes from computer radiation. Thus, an eye exam is important to make sure there are no issues with your eyes.
2. Stare at a Distance to Give Your Eyes a Break
If you’re busy working with something on your computer, don’t tire your eyes too much. Rest them for at least 20 minutes and look at a distance of at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Eye strain can be prevented by staring at something at a distance, like the view of birds flying in the air or the horizon from your office windows.
Staring at a device’s screen for prolonged periods usually dries the eyes. Prolonged staring on a screen also minimizes blinking, which is essential to help moisten the eyes. Practicing this eye activity will give your eyes a break.
Related: How to Protect Your Eyes from Your Smartphone
3. Use Artificial Tear Drops
Artificial tears or lubricating eye drops help reduce dry eyes. These drops add moisture to relieve eye discomfort brought about by staring at computer screens for a long time.
If artificial teardrops are not available, you can use water drops to relieve eye irritation and scratchy and burning feeling of the eyes. Here are good-to-know facts about artificial teardrops:
- With a wide array of brands to choose from, you can buy artificial tears even without a prescription. However, since eye drops have varying strengths or concentrations, it’s better to consult an ophthalmologist to know the best brand for you.
- Artificial drops have elements or substances similar to natural tears.
- Natural tear supplementation helps the tear film work better in effectively protecting the eye’s surface.
- If you have severely dry eyes, a lubricating gel or ointment is recommended. These are thicker than artificial tears, so they stay in the eye longer. As a tip, use the lubricating gel before bedtime.
- Eye drops or artificial tear drops with preservatives contain chemicals to prevent bacterial growth in the bottle once opened. Nevertheless, artificial tears are generally safe to use.
4. Use Prescribed Eyewear
Wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses is an effective way to correct vision problems. Wearing these will also promote better vision when using gadgets or mobile devices and prof=vide greater eye protection. Also, it helps address refractive error or trouble seeing objects far away or up close.
Here are signs that you may possibly have vision problems:
- Hazy or blurry vision
- Frequent headaches
- Eyes hurt
- Seeing glare around bright lights
- Frequent squinting to see clearly
- Having double vision
- Problems driving at night
5. Upgrade Your Computer Display
Upgrade Your Computer Display to one that Adapts to the Latest Screen Technology.If you’re spending hours in front of your computer, it’s time to consider investing in a computer display screen or computer monitor that adapts to the latest screen technology. Computer monitors from way back are not good for the eyes, so it’s high time to upgrade your computer monitor for greater eye protection.
Here are some tips and tricks when choosing a new computer monitor to help prevent or reduce eye strain:
- Don’t invest in an unnecessarily big computer screen because it’s not practical since it may cause undue strain on the eyes. Desktop computer monitors range from 14 to 38 inches in size. A 27-inch display is fairly reasonable, which can provide you with a big-screen experience without straining your eyes.
- A curved-screen display model can deliver a genuine movie-theater experience, perfect for video streaming.
- If you’ll be sharing a monitor with a family member or co-workers, check for extra features. Choose a computer monitor model with an ergonomic stand so you can position the screen at a comfortable viewing angle.
Related: How To Protect Your Eyes From the Sun: 8 Effective Hacks
6. Adjust Computer Display Settings
Digital eye strain is brought on by prolonged exposure to digital screens or blue light-emitting devices. That’s why you have to dim the lights or turn down the level of brightness of your computer monitor display at nighttime. Doing so helps decrease the blue light exposure to your eyes thus giving you greater eye protection.
7. Create a User-Friendly Workspace
You can break up the long screen time in the office by placing your computer in the right location. Incorrect placement of the computer monitor may cause eye strain, neck pain, and shoulder pain. Placing your monitor directly at the center and in front of you is highly recommended.
Also, your monitor should be an arm’s length away when you’re sitting. The top of your computer screen should have the same level as your eyes to avoid eye strain. You can raise your chair or lower the monitor to attain this goal.
8. Use Computer Glasses
Computer glasses or computer reading glasses, which are different from prescribed eyewear, can optimize your vision or eyesight when viewing a computer screen. They are designed to provide comfort and clear vision when using digital devices.
Avoid computer vision syndrome (CVS) by using computer glasses. CVS is usually characterized by eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision.
9. Use Gadgets and Devices at a Recommended Distance
As mentioned earlier, don’t sit too close to your computer. Make sure that the top of the screen should sit below eye level (about 20 to 28 inches) or an arm’s length. If you have trouble reading from this distance, increase the print size so you won’t experience eye strains.
Adults should also hold smartphones, tablets, and other devices at arm’s length. Also, you have to teach your children to hold tablets and smartphones away from their eyes due to a significantly increased light intensity.
Conclusion
By applying the tips mentioned above, you can protect your eyes from eye strain and major vision problems. Make sure to see an eye doctor for proper medication and eyewear prescription as needed. Doing so will also detect and resolve eye problems early on.
The use of computer glasses, artificial tear drops, and prescribed eyeglasses are highly recommended. Also, upgrading your computer monitor and observing proper ergonomics when using computers and devices will help avoid eye strain.
