Tag: computer

It is no longer news that most people spend the day looking at computers, mobile phones, and tablets. This makes this article about how to prevent eye strain from computers an invaluable piece.

Eye strain from prolonged computer use, often termed Computer Vision Syndrome or Digital Eye Strain, is a common issue in today’s digital world, although I gave detailed information about this later in the article.

Staying off from excessive use of your computer would have been a great idea but a lot of us earn a living from our computer and there are many factors that contribute to this ugly experience.

Factors that can Cause eyestrain

There are several factors that can contribute to eyestrain from computer use:

• Blue light exposure: Computer screens emit blue light, which can cause eye fatigue and strain. Prolonged exposure to blue light can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to digital eye strain.
• Screen glare: Glare from the screen or surrounding lighting can cause eyestrain. Reflections and bright light sources can make it difficult to focus on the screen, leading to eye fatigue.
• Improper viewing distance: Sitting too close or too far from the computer screen can strain the eyes. The recommended viewing distance is about 20-28 inches from the screen.
• Poor posture: Sitting in an uncomfortable or incorrect posture while using the computer can contribute to eyestrain. Slouching or leaning too close to the screen can strain the eyes and neck muscles.
• Lack of breaks: Staring at a computer screen for long periods without taking breaks can strain the eyes.
• Uncorrected vision problems: If you have an underlying vision problem, such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, it can contribute to eyestrain when using a computer. Not wearing the correct prescription glasses or contact lenses can exacerbate the issue.
• Dry eyes: Staring at a computer screen can reduce blinking, leading to dry eyes. This can cause discomfort, redness, and eyestrain.

How to prevent eye strain from computers

Here is where my cardinal interest lies. A preventive approach is better than a curative that is one of the reasons you have to pay rapt attention to these I am about to review with you.

Having looked at the factors that contribute to causing eye strain while using the computer, It is essential to know the preventive approaches.

20-20-20 Rule

For every 20 minutes spent looking at a computer screen, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This can help to rest your eyes.

Take regular breaks from staring at the computer screen. It is recommended to adhere to the 20-20-20 rule.

Proper Lighting

Eye strain often is caused by excessively bright light either from outdoor sunlight coming in through a window or from harsh interior lighting. When you use a computer, your ambient lighting should be about half as bright as that typically found in most offices.

Minimize Glare

Glare on walls and finished surfaces, as well as reflections on your computer screen, also can cause computer eye strain.

Consider installing an anti-glare screen on your monitor and, if possible, paint bright white walls a darker color with a matte finish.

Adjust Display Settings

Adjust the brightness, text size, and contrast on your computer screen so that it becomes comfortable to read. The brightness should be the same as the surrounding workstation.

Blink More Often

Blinking is very important when working at a computer; blinking moistens your eyes to prevent dryness and irritation. Make a conscious effort to blink regularly when looking at a screen.

Staring at a computer screen often leads to reduced blinking, which can cause dry eyes and eye strain.

Exercise Your Eyes

Look far away at an object for 10-15 seconds, then gaze at something up close for 10-15 seconds. Then look back at the distant object. Do this a few times. This can help to prevent focusing fatigue.

Modify Your Workstation

Ideally, your screen should be 20 to 24 inches from your eyes and the center of the screen should be 10 to 15 degrees below your eye level.

Consider Computer Eyewear

For the greatest comfort at your computer, you might benefit from having your eye care professional modify your eyeglasses prescription to create customized computer glasses.

This is especially true if you normally wear contact lenses, which may become dry and uncomfortable during sustained computer work.

Take Frequent Breaks

Give your eyes a break by standing or walking around every half hour or so.

Stay Hydrated and Maintain a Healthy Diet

Drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, C and E.

Get Regular Eye Exams

This is the most important thing you can do to prevent or treat computer vision problems. During your exam, be sure to tell your eye doctor how often you use a computer and digital devices at work and at home.

Is digital eye strain permanent?

Digital eye strain is typically not permanent. It is a temporary condition that occurs due to prolonged exposure to digital screens such as computers, smartphones, and tablets.

Symptoms of digital eye strain may include eye discomfort, dryness, redness, blurred vision, and headaches as earlier mentioned. Taking regular breaks, practicing good eye hygiene, adjusting screen settings, and using artificial tears or lubricating eye drops can help alleviate the symptoms.

Computer vision syndrome treatment

See below for the different treatment options available for computer vision syndrome (CVS)

1. Rest your eyes, and take regular breaks from staring at the computer screen.
2. Always ensure that your computer screen is positioned at eye level and about 20-28 inches away from your eyes. Use an ergonomic chair and adjust the lighting to reduce glare and reflections.
3. Endeavor to blink frequently, people tend to blink less when using digital screens, which can lead to dry eyes.
4. Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops can help relieve dryness and irritation in the eyes. Use them as directed or consult with an eye care professional.
5. Specialized glasses designed for computer use can help reduce eye strain by optimizing the focus and reducing glare from the screen.
6. In some cases, vision therapy may be recommended by an eye care professional. This involves a series of exercises and techniques to improve eye coordination and focus.
7. If you already wear glasses or contact lenses, an updated prescription may be necessary to optimize your vision for computer use. An eye care professional can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment options for your specific needs if you are experiencing symptoms of computer vision syndrome.

How long does eye strain last?

The duration of eye strain can vary depending on the person and the underlying cause. In some cases, eye strain may only last a few hours or a day, while in other cases it may persist for several days or weeks.

It is important to rest your eyes and practice good eye care habits to help alleviate and prevent eye strain. If symptoms persist or worsen, it is recommended to consult with an eye care professional for further evaluation and guidance.

A desk job is all fun and games until it starts affecting your overall health. But not to worry, because this is not something that can not be dealt with productively and healthily.

Keeping in line with that, below are some of the most effective ways that you can opt to stay healthy while working on a computer all day long!

So, scroll down further, read, and find out habits that would surely turn out to be useful for you.

1.    Get Moving More Often

Most of the time, keeping your body in motion might not be a big deal for you when you are doing a job that demands more physical movement.

However, when it comes to a desk job, prioritizing your muscular motion becomes an essential part of your daily routine, regardless of where and what you’re doing.

You can opt for various activities for maintaining health that necessarily involve getting up and leaving your desk for a while.

These activities can range from a 15-20 minutes brisk walk, choosing the pedestrian path to the place you guys are going to have lunch, a not-so-time-consuming sports game, heading to a nearby coffee shop, and the list goes on.

These activities will not only become part of your healthy habits while using a computer but also help you stay physically fit and kicking!

2.    Organizing Your Workspace Is The Key

Words fail to do justice with how the human brain works amazingly in the oddest yet mesmerizing ways.

However, this doesn’t refute the importance of your organizing skills and cleanliness for the neurotransmitters to work smoothly.

In fact, our brain has the capacity to tangle itself as much as it can, but it is only through having a cleaned environment or surroundings that it can find its way back to not-so-complex situations.

Therefore, for the sake of your mental hygiene and healthy habits while using computer, try to structure your workspace, table, as well as whole workflow the way you are most comfortable.

It will allow you to manage and work on the most complex tasks like it’s no longer a big deal.

3.    Take Breaks

Once you have started practicing your organization skills to the best, know is the moment of another truth.

This means that scheduling, structuring your tasks, etc., doesn’t expect you to work without taking any break at all.

This is yet another important component that plays a crucial role in maintaining your emotional and mental health.

Because let’s assume that you have been working for 8 hours straight with no intervals in between, how far do you think your brain will stand by you like this?

Not too long.

Moreover, the quality of your work will also decrease while you are continuously depriving your mind off the break it deserves.

Therefore, to befriend healthy habits while using computer, go for options to manage your work with little relaxing intervals.

There are many techniques available out there. All you have to find is which one improves your brain activity!

4.    Take Care Of Your Eyes

Since we are talking about adopting healthy habits while using a computer, how could we forget about the strain digital screens continuously put on our eyes?

It is a known fact that all electronic devices, be it a laptop or pc screen, mobile phone, tablet, etc., emit certain kinds of rays that do no good to our eyesight and the muscles attached to it.

Therefore, it would be naïve if a person who sits and works in front of a computer all day long keeps ignoring his eyes’ health.

There are numerous healthy options that you can choose from, like putting on one of the best blue-light-blocking glasses while working that are easy-to-use and block harmful rays from reaching your eyes.

More options include getting away from the screen for a while and looking for activities that involve less screen usage for your ‘me’ time.

5.    Practice Sitting Straight

Lastly, one of the most healthy habits while using a computer that anyone could wish for is to fix the sitting posture.

Naturally, when a person sits in a similar position for too long while staring at the screen in front, he cranes his face closer to the laptop or pc.

This ultimately results in a de-shaped neck and spine posture, which is the last thing anyone would want.

So, it is better to be safe than regret it later and take care of how you sit for too long.

Bottom Line:

Staying fit and healthy is not something that you receive overnight.

It demands consistency, regular effort, and practicing healthy habits while using the computer.

Therefore, we hope that the list mentioned above will be beneficial for you and you would like to share it with your friends.

Lastly, if you have any questions to ask or anything else to add or suggest, feel free to drop them in the comments section below!

It is your feedback that motivates us to bring quality content to you.