Eye strain is becoming a common issue due to the widespread use of computers, TVs, and smartphones. While it doesn’t cause permanent damage, it can be quite bothersome, leading to discomfort, blurry vision, headaches, and pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. Some symptoms might even indicate underlying eye conditions that might need specialized treatment. Here are some tips to help you reduce eye strain:
**Lighting Issues**
Often, eye strain is caused by bright lights either from harsh indoor lighting or from sunlight streaming through windows. To minimize this:
– Close your drapes, shades, or blinds to block out external light.
– Arrange your desk so that windows are on your sides. Direct sunlight can strain your eyes, and having the sun behind you may create glare on your computer screen.
– Reduce indoor lighting by using fewer bulbs or switching off some fluorescent tubes.
– Overhead fluorescent lights are a common complaint among computer users. If you can, turn them off and use floor lamps instead. You might also replace fluorescent bulbs with full-spectrum ones, which are closer to natural sunlight. Ultimately, if the fluorescents still bother you, rely on desk lamps or other task lighting.
**Dealing with Screens and Glare**
Older CRT monitors still used by some companies can cause significant eye strain due to their flickering images, low refresh rates, and high glare. Replace any old CRT screens with LCD monitors, which are much easier on the eyes and come with anti-reflective surfaces.
Even with a new monitor, reducing glare in your environment is crucial. Brightly finished walls and reflections on your screen can contribute to eye strain. Cover your windows and consider painting bright white walls a darker shade.
**Remember to Blink**
One of the main reasons for eye strain is forgetting to blink. Blinking lubricates your eyes, preventing dryness and irritation, but studies show that people working at computers blink five times less than usual. This can lead to significant dryness, especially in the already dry air of most offices.
While lubricating eye drops can help, it’s best to get into the habit of blinking frequently and taking regular breaks. Try this simple technique: every 20 minutes, blink slowly ten times to keep your eyes moist.
By adjusting your lighting, minimizing glare, and remembering to blink, you can significantly reduce eye strain and make your time in front of the screen much more comfortable.