8 Ways to Protect Your Eyes at the Office

Everyone seems to be staring at a screen these days, whether their computer, their smartphone or another digital device. The stress it puts on your eyes can cause a condition called "digital eye strain" (DES) or "computer vision syndrome" (CVS). Symptoms include eye fatigue, dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, red eyes, and eye twitching.

How To Protect Your Eyes While You Work

1. See your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam

This is one of the most important things you can do to prevent or treat symptoms associated with computer vision syndrome. During your eye doctor's appointment, make sure to discuss your working habits, including the frequency and length of time you use a computer and other devices at work and at home.

2. Good lighting is key

Excessively bright light, whether due to outdoor sunshine coming through the window or harsh interior lighting, is a common cause of eyestrain. When using your computer, your ambient lighting should be about 50% dimmer than what is typically found in most offices.

3. Minimize glare

Eyestrain can be aggravated by glare from light reflecting off surfaces including your computer screen. Position your computer so that windows are neither directly in front of nor behind the monitor. Consider installing an anti-glare screen on your display.

4. Upgrade your display

If you have a CRT (cathode) screen on your monitor, consider replacing it with a flat-panel LED screen that includes an anti-reflective surface. Old-school CRT screens can be a major cause of computer eye strain due to the flickering images.

5. Adjust display settings for added comfort

Adjusting your computer display settings can help decrease eye strain and fatigue. Adjust brightness, text size, and color temperature to match your comfort level.

6. Get computer glasses

Nearly 70% of North Americans experience digital eye strain related to prolonged use of electronic devices. Ask our doctors at Grove City Vision Center for customized computer glasses, which feature mildly tinted lenses that filter out blue light.

7. Don't forget to blink

When staring at a digital device people tend to blink up to 66% less often. Making a conscious effort to blink more while working or watching can prevent dryness and irritation.

8. Exercise your eyes

Look away from your computer every 20 minutes and gaze at an object located 20 feet away, for a minimum of 20 seconds. This "20-20-20 rule" is a classic exercise to relax the eyes' focusing muscles and reduce computer vision syndrome.

The steps above don't require a tremendous amount of time or money to be effective. Contact Grove City Vision Center in Grove City to make an appointment and learn how the right eye drops, eye exercises, computer glasses, or AR coatings can improve eye comfort.