Staring at a computer screen all day long sure puts a strain on your eyes. Computer-related eye strain is caused by a combination of factors including poor lighting, increased visual demands, and insufficient blinking.
Furthermore, many computer users frequently switch to smaller devices such as mobile phones during their busy workday, worsening the pressure on their eyes.
Eye health can be treated and maintained for a long period with adequate care. It’s always a good idea to keep your health checkups up to date.
Regular eye exams will not only ensure the health of your eyes, but they will also aid in the discovery and treatment of any underlying condition that may develop into a future concern. Here are some ways to help keep your eyes healthy;
- Healthy eating habits: A healthy and balanced diet rich in Vitamin A can improve the health of the eyes. Your diet can help keep your vision strong and to reduce your risk of developing serious conditions threatening your ability to see.
- Digital hygiene: Try your best to remember to follow the 20-20-20 rule. Set a timer to remind you to look away every 20 minutes at an object that is about 20 feet away for a full 20 seconds.
- Maintain Good Posture: You may not realize your posture and eyes are connected, but keeping a healthy sitting position is the first line of defense against eye strain. When you sit down at your computer, make sure your feet are flat on the floor and your wrists are slightly elevated, rather than resting on your keyboard. Your screen should be positioned just below your natural line of sight.
- Change Your Lighting: Even if your screen is backlit, the proper room lighting matters. If it’s too bright or too dim, it can lead to increased eye strain and headaches. Your screen must be bright enough that you don’t have to squint, but not so bright that it appears to be illuminated. It’s also important to reduce glare.
- Blinking Exercises: Blinking is typically considered an involuntary action. But when you’re in front of the computer screen all day, you should make a conscious effort to blink more.
- Yearly eye check-ups: The most important step you can take to keep your eyes healthy is to undertake regular eye check-ups. An eye exam is used to assess more than whether you need glasses or a stronger prescription. “Your eye care practitioner will also examine the overall health of your eyes, which means he/she will be able to detect early stages of eye diseases, such as cataracts or glaucoma, even before you notice any symptoms,” as per the reports.
- Quit smoking: Smoking has been linked to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract. Smoking doubles the chances of losing your sight and can exacerbate diabetes-related vision problems.
Related: Long screen time can increase risk of stroke; Study
