From morning to night, our eyes are focused on screens. It starts with a quick check of your phone in the morning, then again before you start your work day. More than ever, work involves 8 hours of monitors with a short break for lunch. Even when the workday ends, we relax with screens, reading or playing games on tablets. All this digital time takes a toll on our eyes. If too much screen time has you feeling like your eyes could use a break, check out these helpful tips:
- Lighten Up: Whether you are working on a laptop, tablet, or smart phone, be sure to switch on a lamp to give your eyes a break. While it may strain your battery, keeping the screen brightness turned all the way up will lessen the strain on your eyes. Keeping your screen nice and bright reduces the flicker rate, which helps stave off fatigue.
- Put it in Place: Set up your workspace so that the center of the computer screen is 4-5” below eye level, and 20-28” from your eyes. Having a computer that is too far away causes you to lean forward to properly see the screen, and having the monitor too close may put additional strain on your eyes as they maintain focus.
- Get Rid of Glare: Clean your screen regularly to remove dust, and close the blinds on nearby windows to prevent sun glare. If you need more relief, consider installing an anti-glare screen.
- Take a Break: The common rule here is 20-20-20; take a 20-second break every 20 minutes by looking at something that is 20 feet away. Remember to blink frequently during breaks and while working to properly lubricate the eyes and provide additional rest.
- Take a Whole-Body Approach: Stay hydrated while you work by drinking plenty of water. Proper hydration can prevent headaches; it benefits your entire body, and helps keeps eyes lubricated. Taking a daily multivitamin can help supply the energy that our eyes need to stay healthy. Look for formulas that contain vitamins A, C, E, B complex, zinc, or those that are specifically labeled for eye health.
- Get the Details: Scheduling an ophthalmological exam will give you a complete picture of your eye health, and give you the forum to discuss any issues with your doctor. You may find that glasses with specialized coatings for glare and long-term computer monitor exposure provide relief.
Alpine Eye Care provides comprehensive eye care to Northern Michigan. We offer vision correction, including eye exams, treatment of eye diseases, cataract surgery and eye care for seniors. Call 1.877.SEE.2020 or click here to schedule your consultation and exam.