Easing Eyestrain

One drawback to the COVID pandemic was increased screen time. Remote learning, research, Zoom meetings, just plain working from home, you name it, all on our laptops or smartphones. That means a greater likelihood for eyestrain.

According to a report by the Vision Council, 65 percent of Americans report experiencing symptoms of digital eyestrain. Digital eyestrain is the eye discomfort that a person feels after being in front of a screen for two or more hours. More than nine out of 10 people with digital eyestrain use devices for two or more hours each day. Some of the symptoms reported include:

·       Headache

·       Blurred vision

·       Dry eyes

·       Eyestrain

·       Neck/shoulder/back pain

Even more, the average American worker spends seven hours a day on the computer either in the office or working from home, according to the American Optometric Association. Geez! It is almost a guarantee that at some point most people will experience digital eyestrain. Digital eyestrain is more prevalent among women. And it was reported more frequently by individuals who used two or more devices simultaneously. Some of the causes of digital eyestrain are poor lighting, glare on a digital screen, improper viewing distances, poor seating posture, and uncorrected vision problems.

Thankfully, eyestrain isn’t a serious long-term condition and can be alleviated. If your condition persists, please consult an eye professional. But there are some measures that you can do in order to ease your strain.

1.     Take eye breaks. Practice the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

2.     Blink often to moisturize your eyes.

3.     Move your monitor. Make sure your monitor is an arm’s length away.

4.     Reduce glare and check lighting.

5.     Enlarge the type on the screen for easier reading.

6.     Eat foods rich in omega fatty acids. Some studies have shown daily supplementation of omega fatty acids may be associated with helping reduced symptoms such as tiredness, dryness and difficulty focusing during sustained computer use.   

My vision is pretty reliable most days but sitting in front of a screen for hours does eventually take its toll. As a woman in her fifties, I play close attention to whether or not I have to make adjustments in order to work effectively. Disconnecting from technology is not realistic for me but by taking these precautions, screen time doesn’t have to be detrimental to your eyes and overall health. What do you do to keep your eyes operating at optimal level?