How to Avoid Eye Strain From Too Much Screen Time
Whether you work all day on a computer or you simply can’t bear to be apart from your beloved technical devices, too much screen time can have a seriously detrimental effect on your eyesight.
Eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, affects as much as 60% of people who regularly use computers and can cause a whole host of unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, and eye twitches.
Fortunately, even if you cannot reduce the amount of time you spend in front of a screen, there are techniques that you can adopt to reduce your risk of eye strain and safeguard your vision.
1. Book regular eye examinations
Everyone should have a routine eye examination once a year, regardless of whether you think you need glasses or not. If you have not had an eye exam in over a year, then make a note to book one with your local optician as soon as possible.
It can also be a good idea to tell your optician about how much time you spend in front of a screen and how near to the screen you sit so that they can advise you further on how to care for your vision.
2. Consider eye-strain prevention glasses
If you are already experiencing some of the above-mentioned symptoms and you are not able to reduce the number of hours you spend in front of a screen, you may want to think about investing in a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses that are specifically designed to help reduce the effects of too much screen time.
Just-glasses.co.uk has a wide range of stylish glasses to choose from, including ones that actively help prevent eye strain.
3. Ensure adequate lighting
One of the most common causes of eye strain is a bright light, either from a computer screen, natural light coming in through the window, or harsh interior lighting.
When using your computer or a tablet, your ambient lighting should only be half as bright as it normally is. Therefore, you should try to reduce any exterior light by shutting the curtains or closing your blinds. You should also aim to position your computer so that the window is to the side of it rather than in front or behind.
4. Take time to blink
You may not take much notice of how often you blink, but as this simple act is what moisturizes your eyes, it is crucial that you take the time to consciously do it. On average, people blink about one-third as often when staring at a computer screen as they normally do, so you need to make sure you are blinking enough.
If you are already experiencing dry or itchy eyes when using a screen, you may want to try the below exercise:
- Look away from your screen
- Blink 10 times by closing your eyes as if you were falling asleep
- Repeat once every 20 minutes
5. Take frequent breaks
An obvious tip but an important one, if you want to avoid eye strain, you need to make sure you are taking sufficient breaks from your screen. This is beneficial not only for your eyes but also for your shoulders, neck, and back.
During these breaks, make sure that you get up from your chair, stretch your arms and legs and move about as much as you can.
