Everywhere we go, there is a screen in front of us. Whether it’s our mobile phone, tablet, or computer, Americans are spending more and more time viewing a screen up close than ever before. In fact, an estimated 86% of americans sit all day for their jobs and spend a significant portion of that time in front of a computer. Sitting for extended periods while looking at a screen can lead to a wide range of health problems and can do some eye damage if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Here’s what you need to know about protecting your eyes from computer screen damage.
Take Time Away from the Computer
It’s not alway easy when you in the middle of a work project to take a break but it is important for your eye health. As often as your work allows, get up and move around a little bit, even take a short walk if possible. Give your eyes time to look at things other than a screen and take a moment or two to focus on a object that is far away,
Don’t Forget to Blink
One of the main reasons that sitting in front of a computer is bad for our eyes is because it can cause eye strain and eye dryness. Thankfully our eyes have a natural mechanism to fight this called “blinking”. Try to be more aware of your blinking throughout the day while you are working. If your eyes still feel like they are getting dry, you may want to get a humidifier or you can speak with our optometrists about possibly getting eye drops.
Don’t Sit Too Close to the Screen
Sitting too close to your screen can cause additional unnecessary strain. It’s recommended that you position yourself about 24 inches away from your screen. Also, if you can focus on sitting tall with a good posture, this can also help with eye strain since you will have more of a downward viewing angle on your computer screen.
A Simple Adjustment
One of the best and easiest adjustments for people who sit at a computer screen all day to make to their daily routine is the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes you sit at a computer screen, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s easiest to just pick an object roughly 20 feet away from you in your office that you can refocus on regularly throughout the day.
Get Help from a Professional
If you are noticing eye consisten strain symptoms, it’s a good idea to get a professional opinion. Contact Innovations in Eyecare at (360) 736-7385 today to set up an appointment with an optometrist for an eye exam in Centralia.