For most of us, working requires the use of screens for a lot of the day. Though this is a necessary part of many jobs and cannot be avoided, it doesn’t come without its potential problems. The constant use of computer screens and smartphones, for both work and pleasure, can result in eye strain. This is something that may have increased recently, especially as many people are now working from home for the very first time. As it’s not possible to avoid computer screens altogether, it’s important to do what you can to reduce eye strain as much as possible.
If your eyes feel dry and tired after spending a long time working on the computer, you may be dealing with computer eye strain. You may also notice blurred vision as well as headaches, neck ache and shoulder ache. Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent computer eye strain.
Here’s How You Can Prevent Computer Eye Strain
- Working too close to a screen can cause computer eye strain, so make sure there is enough distance between you and your computer. The screen should be an arm’s length away from your face, which is about 60cm.
- It’s important to look away from the computer screen from time to time, to give yourself a break. Every 20 or 30 minutes, look at an object a little further away from you for 20 to 30 seconds.
- It’s easy to forget about taking regular breaks when you are working from home, but doing so is an important part of preventing computer eye strain. After spending two hours looking at the computer, aim to take a break of around 15 minutes.
- Increasing the brightness in the room can help to prevent computer eye strain. The light in the room should be brighter than the computer screen.
- Eye exams are important, but they are even more important when you are using a computer regularly. Having your eyes checked will highlight whether you need glasses for when you use the computer, and many people do.
- Using a good artificial tear drop such as Hycosan Fresh can reduce the symptoms of dry and tired feeling eyes after prolonged screen use.
At Reynolds & Slater Opticians, we understand that many professions require you to look at a computer screen for long periods of time and we are here to help. If you have noticed continuous eye strain or a change in your vision, book in for an eye exam. Contact us today to find out more.
