Digital eye strain is a serious problem and if proper precautions are not taken it might lead to serious consequences. Follow these 6 tips and you’ll have less chances of getting a digital eye strain. Out of these 6 tips, 3 are things you need to change in the external environment and 3 are those that need to change within you.
Three external things that you need to change:
1. Lighting
Pupil size keeps on changing to regulate the amount of light entering your eye. So if the room light is too bright or too dark, the pupil gets tired in trying to adjust the amount of light entering your eye and you get eye strain. So, the computer or the device brightness should match the surrounding light. Do not work with the lights off or in front of a bright window.
2. Air quality
Bad air quality can lead to dry eyes and eye strain. If the room feels dry, use a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air
Move away from fans that blow air directly in to the eyes.
3. Computer or device settings
Increase the font size to a comfortable size
Increase the contrast if there is an option
Adjust the brightness to match surrounding light
Three things that you need to change internally:
4. Drink enough water
Dehydration can worsen dry eyes and eye strain.
Drink at least 1 glass of water every hour. Always keep a full bottle of water beside you.
5. Wear prescription glasses
If you were prescribed glasses and if you are not using them, the eye muscle try to compensate and as a result, gets strained quickly. So always use prescription glasses
6. Take breaks and blink more often
Normally we blink 15-20 times a min. But when we are using these gadgets, the blink rate comes down to 4-6 times a min. As we are blinking less, the tears get dried up quickly and lead to dry eye and eye strain.
So, follow the modified 20-20-20 rule. Every 30 mins, take a break. Drink some water. Get up, walk around for 2 mins, do eye exercises and get back to work.
Doing this keeps you hydrated, your eye strain will come down and more importantly, you’ll also live longer. Yes you heard it right. Sitting for longer periods is as dangerous as smoking. And studies have found that those who get up and move around at least once an hour live longer than those that sit for prolonged periods.
So every 30 mins, take a break, get up, drink some water, do some eye exercises and get back to work with rejuvenated eyes.
If you follow these tips, I’m sure your digital eye strain will come down drastically.
