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5 Ways to Fight Digital Eye Strain

Welcome Back to the Grind: 5 Ways to Fight Digital Eye Strain

September is here. Summer vacations are over, the kids are back in school, and work projects are in full swing. For most of us, this means one thing: our screen time is about to skyrocket.

Between office computers, school-issued tablets, laptops for homework, and our smartphones, our eyes are working overtime. That tired, gritty, and achy feeling you get after a long day of staring at a screen? That has a name: Digital Eye Strain, or Computer Vision Syndrome.

Digital Eye Strain is a collection of symptoms caused by the prolonged use of digital devices. The good news is that it's often temporary and preventable. Here are five practical ways to protect your eyes this fall.

 

1. Master the 20-20-20 Rule

This is the most important rule for fighting eye fatigue. It’s simple to remember and incredibly effective.

  • How it works: For every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, take a 20-second break to look at something at least 20 feet away.

  • Why it works: This short break allows the focusing muscles inside your eyes to relax, which can prevent fatigue and headaches. Set a timer on your phone or computer to remind yourself!

 

2. Check Your Ergonomics

Your environment plays a huge role in eye comfort. A poorly arranged desk can make eye strain (and neck pain) much worse.

  • Monitor Position: Place your computer monitor at arm's length away. The top of the screen should be at or just below your eye level. You should be looking slightly down at your screen, not up.

  • Reduce Glare: Position your screen to avoid glare from overhead lights or windows. If you can't, consider an anti-glare screen filter.

  • Lighting: Make sure your room's lighting is comfortable. Avoid working on a bright screen in a very dark room.

 

3. Remember to Blink!

It sounds silly, but it’s true. Studies show that we blink about half as often when staring at a computer or phone. Blinking is what resurfaces the tear film over our eyes, keeping them moist and clear.

When we don't blink enough, our eyes become dry, gritty, and irritated. Make a conscious effort to blink fully and frequently. If your eyes still feel dry, talk to us about an over-the-counter artificial tear that might be right for you.

 

4. Talk to Us About "Computer Glasses"

No, this isn't just a marketing gimmick. For many people, a pair of glasses designed specifically for computer use can be a game-changer.

  • What they are: "Computer glasses" are prescribed specifically for your computer's viewing distance, which is different from your distance (driving) or reading (holding a book) vision.  Varilux Immersia and Shamir Workspace are two examples of amazing eyewear for the computer.

  • What they do: They can correct for small, uncorrected vision errors (like astigmatism) that your eyes are struggling to overcome. We can also add powerful anti-reflective coatings and blue-light-filtering technology to reduce glare and visual "noise" from the screen.

 

5. Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam

The single most important thing you can do is to rule out an underlying problem.

Often, the symptoms of digital eye strain are made much worse by a small, uncorrected vision issue. Your eyes are already working hard to compensate for slight farsightedness or astigmatism, and the extra demand of a computer screen pushes them over the edge.

You might not even realize you have a vision problem until we correct it, and you feel the relief.

 

Don't Let Eye Strain Slow You Down

Headaches, blurry vision, and tired eyes shouldn't be a normal part of your workday or your child's school night. This September, let's make your comfort a priority.

If you're feeling the effects of increased screen time, call The Eye Place at 804-794-3937 or schedule an appointment online. We can determine the exact cause of your discomfort and create a personalized plan to help you see clearly and comfortably.