How to Relieve Computer Eye Strain
Countless jobs require sitting in front of a computer for long stretches of time every day. Under these conditions, some eye strain is inevitable, but there are things you can do to avoid severe eye strain symptoms such as extreme tiredness, soreness, redness, and dryness.
Excessively bright lighting, whether from direct sunlight or interior lighting, can cause eye strain. To reduce excessive lighting, use shades or blinds for the windows and opt for fewer light bulbs or tubes. Indirect soft LED lighting is easier on the eyes than harsh overhead fluorescent lights.
It also helps to position your work station to maximize natural lighting. Reconfigure your desk so that the windows are on the side instead of behind or in front of the screen.
2. Upgrade Your Computer and Adjust Settings
Select a relatively wide screen with the highest possible resolution and optimize display settings to reduce computer eye strain.
• Brightness: Your computer display should not be excessively bright. Look at the white background of a page or document to test this. It should not look like a light source, but if the background seems dull, it may be too dark
• Color temperature: Blue light puts more strain on the eyes than longer-wavelength colors like red and orange. You can lower the amount of blue light your screen emits by reducing the color temperature of the display
• Text contrast, color, and size: Typically, black text on a white background is the optimal combination for eye comfort. Adjust text size and contrast until you reach a point that feels easiest on your eyes
3. Blink, Take Breaks, Exercise Your Eyes
People blink less frequently when working in front of a screen, which is one major cause of eye fatigue, dryness, and irritation. Make an effort to blink more often, and if that does not help, consider using artificial tears.
Roughly every 20 minutes, look away from your computer and focus on an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This 20-20 routine helps reduce strain on the eye muscle in charge of focusing on your screen.
Every hour, take a few minutes to stand, move, and stretch to relieve computer eye strain.
4. Consider Using Computer Glasses
Consult your eye doctor about adjusting your eyeglass prescription for individually customized computer glasses. These glasses can be especially beneficial for people using contact lenses, progressive lenses, or bifocals. Another option is using photochromic lenses for reducing exposure to blue light.
If your eyes take a lot of strain, you should have a yearly comprehensive eye exam to catch any issues, such as a poorly adjusted eyeglass prescription that may be exacerbating eye strain problems. Even if you do not wish to relieve computer eye strain, an exam helps catch any future causes of vision issues.
Schedule an Exam at the Atlantic Eye Institute
At the Atlantic Eye Institute, you can be sure of a thorough, comprehensive eye exam at the hands of experienced, board-certified ophthalmologists.
Call us at (904) 241-7865 or reach us through our online form to book an appointment. We are based in Jacksonville, FL, and serve the Jacksonville and St Augustine area.