This is a topic that most everyone in this day and age will be all too familiar with: We spend too much time looking at our digital screens, and it’s negatively affecting our vision.
Have you ever finally closed your computer after a long day at the office, only to notice that your vision was a little blurry or your eyes felt itchy and dry? The bright light from our devices can be harmful to our eyes, deteriorating our vision at a faster rate and increasing our dependence on vision corrective options such as glasses or contacts.
While taking into account the tips below will not absolve your need for prescriptive eyewear, it will help ensure that your prescription stays stable over time and should generally decrease any discomfort you might be experiencing as a result of too much screen time. Let’s take a closer look.
Practice 20-20-20
No doubt you have heard of “20-20 vision,” so this should be an easy rule to remember when it comes to benefiting your eye health. Make sure that you give your eyes frequent breaks from looking at the screen. About every 20 minutes or so, focus on an object about 20 feet away from you, for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a chance to relax and not get “stuck” on a certain distance. Ask any optician and they will tell you just how important this practice is for maintaining good eye health.
Focus on Your Work Space
So many people sit and work on their computer long after the sun has set, or lie in bed scrolling through their phone. Lighting is really important when it comes to eye care, so it pays to make sure that you always have appropriate background lighting that can help reduce any undue eyestrain.
Another good idea is to make sure that your computer and any other work materials that you might be regularly looking at are at eye level, which can help reduce additional wear and tear on your vision. The majority of people sit far too close to their computers, which can quickly lead to needing a new prescription .
Adjust Your Computer Settings
Maybe one of the reasons you are sitting so close to your computer is to better read the writing. If you find that the text on the screen is too small, change it! Most computer programs allow you to adjust the text size. You can also update the brightness and contrast on your computer—lowering these settings can make a world of difference, and keep you from needing new glasses or lenses every six months.
Keep Regular Eye Appointments
If you find that you frequently need to update your prescription, then you should definitely take the above tips to heart. Regular eye exams can make sure that your glasses or lenses prescription always match your individual needs, which can lessen any additional strain or damage to your vision.
At David Paul Opticians in Hertfordshire, we have an experienced team that can make sure you have the correct prescription, pick out new frames or lenses, or discuss any other vision issue that you may be having. Please give us a call on 01442 879 303, visit us online , or email us at info@davidpaul.co.uk for more information.