8 Top Ways to Keep Your Eyesight From Digital Strains

The rapid and dynamic nature of work post pandemic has made spending more time in front of screens inevitable. 

Staring at a screen for hours at a time can lead to eye strain, known as computer vision syndrome. 

The American Optometric Association defines computer vision syndrome as a collection of eye- and vision-related symptoms, like headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain, that develop as a result of spending too much time looking at your computer, tablet, or cell phone.

According to research, at least fifty (50) percent of people working in front of a computer report eye issues, but the number may be closer to ninety (90) percent.

What should you then do?

• Take a break: Take a break every 10minutes, look at something 10 feet away for 10 seconds. That’s called the 10-10-10 rule. It helps you defocus and give your eyes the chance to relax. 

• Adjust the positioning of your screen(s): If, say your computer is too close to your face, your eyes will have to strain to remain focused. Keep your screen (laptop, ipad, mobile phone, computer) just below your eye level and about 20 to 28 inches away from your eyes. Researchers consider this the ideal spot.

• Adjust the brightness of screen light. If your computer, phone, or laptop screen is set at 100 percent brightness, you need to lower it immediately and get a more comfortable jsetting. Bright lights from your screens will only cause fatigue for your eyes, which will inturn make you less productive in the long run.

• Glare is the main cause of eye strain.  Control the amount of light entering your room or space by using blinds and or curtains on windows. You might want to replace your light bulbs with lower wattage bulbs. Sometimes, you don’t have control over this, especially if you work in an office. Therefore consider getting anti glare screen to put on your monitor to help reduce the light you get exposed to everyday. 

• Get blue light blocking glasses: One way to deal with blue light exposure is to get blue light blocking glasses. They have specially crafted lenses used to filter out or absorb blue light that comes from digital screens. They may help limit the amount of blue light your eyes get exposed to daily.

• Blink frequently. Make a conscious effort to blink frequently to prevent the surface of your eye from drying out. This is particularly important if you wear contact lenses. If you find that blinking is not reducing your feelings of dry eyes, try over the counter artificial tears. Artificial tears are lubricating eye drops used to relieve dryness and irritation of the ocular surface. Visit your optometrist for further consultation.

• Eating a healthy diet. This in no small way helps give your eye the protection it needs. Eating a varied diet like fish, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, fruits, legumes, water amongst others is enough to ensure people get enough and right nutrients for their eye health.

• Take eye-healthy supplement. Supplements like Rida bitters will help with your eyesight. It is a perfect mix of carefully selected Herb and Root Extracts which does the key work of eliminating Oxidative Stress. Rida helps to increase your body’s levels of antioxidants and decrease the formation of free radicals.