It’s not uncommon for our eyes to get tired after too much screen time. Keep reading for out top 5 tips to reduce digital eye strain.
If you spend over 2 hours per day looking at a digital screen (computer and/or phone), you may notice your eyes beginning to feel heavy with strain. They may begin to burn or easily become irritated, to feel dry, or even develop redness. Often people experiencing digital eye strain also notice headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and blurred vision. All of these signs indicate computer eye strain. Today, we will discuss our top 5 tips to reduce digital eye strain.
The effects of digital eye strain are not permanently harmful to your eyes, but can be extremely uncomfortable and interfere with regular everyday activities.
If digital eye strain is something you find yourself struggling with, we have our top 5 tips to reduce that nagging strain.
- Take a break. The 20-20-20 rule can be a great guideline to follow. To help reduce digital eye strain, take a break every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This allows your eyes to work in different ways, forcing them to focus at a different distance, and allows them a break from the computer screen.
- Blink Frequently. We tend to blink less often when focusing on a computer screen which causes our eyes to become dry and irritated. Make sure you are blinking often and allowing the natural oils and liquids produced by blinking to rejuvenate and freshen your eyes.
- Wear glasses with a blue light blocker. Blocking some of the blue light that radiates from your digital screen helps to relax your eyes. If you know you will be staring at the screen for a long period of time, you will want to put these on.
- Try a pair of glasses specifically for computer use. Get a custom pair of prescription glasses that are made for specific purposes, like computer use. Wearing glasses that are designed for the exact distance of your digital screen will help your eyes focus better and relieve some of the strain experienced.
- Keep your monitor bright. A bright monitor causes your pupils to constrict which allows for a greater range of focus. This will help you work longer and with more comfort as your eyes work less. A bright monitor also reduces the flicker rate of your computer screen. The flicker rate can lead to headaches, eyestrain and fatigue.
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Of course, our best recommendation for people struggling with digital eye strain is talking with your doctor about it. It is best to make sure the signs and symptoms experienced are identified correctly and not misinterpreted. A doctor’s thorough eye exam would be able to relieve those concerns. Schedule your appointment today online or give us a call! 435-359-2020
The content found on this blog is for information purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of professional medical advice from your eye care provider. Always seek treatment from a qualified health care provider with all your eye health and medical questions regarding your health.