Remember when you were a kid and your parents told you not to sit too close to the TV? Nowadays it is commonplace to spend a significant portion of our day with digital screens mere inches from our face. Globally, the average person spends almost 7 hours per day in front of a screen. According to recent statistics from the United States Bureau of Labor 48% of people use a computer for work. Half of the normal grind of a workday involves significant time and focus on a computer screen. By the end of the day, you may notice eye irritation, blurred vision and overall fatigue in your vision due to what is now classified as computer vision syndrome, eye strain brought on from extensive use of digital devices. Tips for alleviating eye strain in the workplace include the following: regular eye checking, eye exercising, proper lighting, monitor cleaning, distance adjusting, glare reducing, font scaling, frequent blinking, glasses wearing and the 20-20-20 rule. How do I manage to remember all these action items throughout the workday? Let’s break them down below:
First, if you notice any changes to vision, be sure to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. You may need an updated prescription and the appropriate glasses or contact lenses will ensure you are seeing clearly with proper refractive error correction and visual acuity. While working, taking a few moments to gently roll your eyes in one direction and then back again can reduce tension and soreness in the muscles around and behind the eyes. Adjusting the lighting both on your computer monitor and the light in the room can ensure both types of light are hitting your eyes with the same intensity. You may need to dim your screen slightly to avoid making the eyes work harder than necessary. Routinely clean your computer monitor to eliminate any excess dust that may directly or indirectly affect your eyes. Proper posture and position are important components of alleviating eye strain in the workplace. Some of the discomfort you may feel is not just felt in the eyes but in the neck, shoulders and back as well. The same way proper lighting helps reduce strain on the eyes, using a screen filter to minimize glare and enhance screen contrast will make reading words on the screen easier. When it comes to words, changing font type and size provides the user with a better readability so you no longer squint or struggle to see words on the screen. Staring at a computer screen means we blink less frequently. Make a conscientious effort to improve how often you blink and use artificial tears to lubricate the eyes. Blue light blocking glasses come in prescription and non-prescription options. Protect your vision in the same way you would your skin by warding off the harmful effects of UV light. Lastly, every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
These tips for alleviating eye strain in the workplace are a great start to healthy eyes and avoiding common eye conditions such as myopia and cataract development. For greater resources on improving vision, book an exam with Wichita Vision Institute by calling 316-773-6400 or visiting WEBSITE.