Whether your job requires you to work from a computer or you are simply an avid reader, eye strain is bound to affect everyone at some point or another. Not only can tired eyes feel sore or itchy, but excessive strain could also lead to headaches and can sometimes make you feel dizzy. Although there’s not much evidence to suggest that eye strain causes any long term damage, the symptoms can be uncomfortable and can disrupt our day-to-day lives. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of five simple ways to combat eye strain.
1.Distance yourself from the screen
The closer your eyes are to a screen, the more they will struggle to focus. Although the distance needed may vary slightly depending on the size of the monitor and the definition of the picture, try to keep yourself at arm’s length to minimise excessive strain. If you’re finding that you’re struggling to see what’s on your screen, consider using a zoom function or enlarging the text rather than moving closer to it.
2.Adjust the brightness
This goes for screens as well as room lighting. Staring at a harshly lit screen all day can really take its toll on your eyes, so why not reduce the brightness? When a screen is brighter than your surroundings, your eyes have to work harder to deal with the contrast. Consider matching the brightness of your screen to the light in the room to make your eyes more comfortable. Particularly dim or harsh room lighting can also lead to squinting and straining, so try to install lighting that is adequate but not painfully bright.
3.Have regular breaks
This may seem like an obvious thing to point out, but when we get stuck into a project at work, we sometimes forget to give our eyes a rest. It’s extremely important to take a couple of short morning and afternoon breaks away from our screens in order to give our eyes some respite. Taking regular breaks is also likely to increase our productivity when working, so keep this in mind if you have a deadline looming or a big presentation to prepare for.
4.Exercise your eyes
Focusing on one thing for a long period of time is bound to cause eye fatigue whatever you’re looking at, so try to give your eyes a bit of a work out. Although this can be hard to monitor, try to make sure you look away from your book or screen fairly regularly and focus on something in the distance for several seconds. This will help relax your eye muscles so that they don’t experience excessive strain.
5.Have your eyes tested
Experts say that we should have our eyes tested annually to maintain healthy vision. This will also ensure that any conditions can be treated ASAP which will reduce the likelihood of them worsening. If you require reading glasses, it’s better to know sooner rather than later so that your eyes don’t suffer.
Here at David Paul Opticians, we have the latest technologies that allow us to offer comprehensive eye examinations. If you’re looking for a thorough optician in Berkhamsted, look no further than David Paul Opticians. To speak to a member of our team about the various services we offer, contact us and book your eye test today.