Suffering from tired, itchy, and burning eyes…
You are probably suffering from computer eye strain.
This is simply because you are staying in front of screens for too long. No matter for what reason, excessive exposure to screens can result in computer eye strain.
Unlike the name, this doesn’t only take in eye strain due to the computer screen but can also be due to mobile and other electronic devices use as well.
Let’s know more about this computer-borne illness which is more common than we think!
Table of Contents
What is Computer Eye Strain?
Eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome is a common condition that affects your eye because you are spending hours in front of screens. It can be super-annoying to deal with. Usually, a computer eye strain is not serious and goes away with proper care of your eyes.
Before we talk about the ways to reduce computer eye strain, here is what computer eye strain looks like:
- Tired, burning, or itchy eyes
- Dry or watery eyes
- Severe headache
- Vision changes
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Inability to keep eyes open for too long
- Difficulty in focusing
- Neck or shoulder pain
These signs and symptoms of computer eye strain greatly vary from person to person. No matter what, a computer eye strain is really difficult to deal with. The severity of computer eye strain also varies from person to person. But one can easily overcome computer eye strain by taking the right care of their eyes and managing their screen use, as said by renowned ophthalmologists from Gulab Devi Hospital Lahore.
Tips for Reducing Computer Eye Strain
Curious about what you need to reduce computer eye strain? I am sharing some easy and simple ways that can help you with the problem. These include:
1- Limit Your Screen Time
According to stats, average screen time is 6 hours 58 minutes daily!
How much time do you spend in front of a screen daily?
Well, It is quite obvious that one needs to limit screen use because prolonged screen time is the main reason behind computer eye strain. You can’t reduce your screen exposure during work hours but you surely can manage the screen time you spend for relaxation purposes.
Suggested Read: Eye Twitching Superstition.
2- Take Occasional Breaks
While you are using the screen, make sure to interrupt your screen time with small breaks. These occasional breaks ensure proper rest for your eyes which is crucial for your eye’s health. This is especially important when you are working on closely placed screens. You can go for a walkout for 10-15 minutes or can play any indoor sport to relax your eyes a bit.
You can even follow the 20-20-20 rule!
After every 20 minutes, look 20 feet apart for at least 20 seconds. This way, you will not forget to take the necessary screen breaks.
3- Blink, Blink, and Blink
On average, a person blinks 14-20 times in one minute!
Blinking is a natural phenomenon but due to excessive screen exposure, our blinking ability is compromised.
Blinking is crucial for our eye health because it tends to clear the surface of our years and wash out the debris. Other than this, this keeps your eyes oxygenated and moist which makes it a healthy practice. If you want to reduce computer eye strain, you should try to blink more often. If your blinking ability is compromised already, try to do it intentionally to keep your eyes healthy.
Suggested Read: How to Manage Eye Pain.
4- Use Artificial Tears
Our eyes produce tears which keep the surface of our eyes moist and hydrated.
Excessive screen use tends to leave your eyes dry because it reduces your tear production. These dry eyes result in itching and burning. So, to get rid of the problem, you can use artificial tear drops. These teardrops are readily available in the market and you can consult a doctor for recommendations such as Dr. Abdul Rauf from MD Health Center, Lahore.
5- Wear Screen Glasses
Screen use can be unavoidable but you can surely limit the damage it causes to your eyes.
Yes, you can protect your eyes by giving them an extra layer of protection. Screen glasses are certainly a good idea you can go with. Even if you wear eyesight glasses, then you can choose the lens with an extra coating or tints to hinder the harmful radiations from the screen to enter your eyes.
5- Adjust Screen Settings
Your screen settings also play a crucial role in determining your screen health.
Manage your screen brightness and contrast effectively and keep it at a level comfortable for you. This will make screen use easy for you. Also, choose your font style and font size wisely because this too has an impact on your eye health.
6- Do Some Eye Workout
Workout tends to build muscle and your eye muscles are not an exception to this. So, doing some eye exercises can help you to keep your eye muscles working well thus preventing eye problems such as convergence insufficiency. So, alongside your other workouts, try adding eye exercises to it too.
Suggested Read: Easy Eye Exercises to Improve Your Eyesight
A Word from Healthwire!
Your eye health is crucial for your well-being and computer eye strain certainly has an impact on it. However, these easy tips can help you to reduce eye strain and keep your eyes functioning properly while you stay aligned with the latest technology.
Other than following these tips, make sure to not skip your regular eye checkup with your physician. If you find any signs and symptoms of computer eye strain, then make sure to consult your physician on this.
You can consult the best ophthalmologist in Karachi via Healthwire to make informed decisions regarding your eye’s health.
