For many people, starting at a screen is an essential part of their workday. Then it’s not uncommon to end the day by scrolling through a phone or watching a TV show or movie. Screens are just a part of life, but they can cause eye strain, which can lead to headaches and other issues. If you work online and are facing eye strain from staring at your screen all day, the following tips can help you reduce strain on your eyes and prevent some of the issues associated with excessive screen time.
What causes eye strain
Screen use related eye strain is caused by the eyes constantly focusing and refocusing on the same area over and over. This repeated movement strains your eye muscles, and it can be made worse if your work requires you to constantly switch between multiple screens or look at papers or other digital devices while you work. Eye strain can affect people in different ways. Plus, these issues can get worse with age and can affect those with already strained vision even more.
Reducing eye strain while you work
While eye strain from computer usage doesn’t generally lead to long-term effects, it can keep you from being productive. One of the best ways to reduce eye strain while you work is to take regular breaks. During these breaks, you can choose to get up and walk away from your computer for a brief period or simply turn away from your screen. If you follow the 20-20-20 rule, you should look away from your screen every 20 minutes. Look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You can also rearrange your workspace, so your screen is slightly below eye level and around 2 feet away from your face. Adjust your screen settings to a brightness and contrast level that feels more comfortable to your eyes. Blue-light filtering glasses can also help prevent many symptoms associated with eye strain.
Using a computer for many hours a day can lead to headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, neck pain, back pain, and many other often minor, but annoying symptoms. While these symptoms usually go away once you step away from your screen, they can prevent you from working effectively. By taking regular breaks, making changes to your workspace, and adjusting the settings on your computer screen, you can prevent many of the issues that can arise from eye strain.
