With the advent of smartphones, Kindles and iPads, we are constantly bombarded with technology. Our eyes are almost always staring at a computer or TV screen. Consequently, eye strain has become a chronic problem for many people.
Symptoms Of Digital Eye Strain
In order to help prevent eye strain caused by the use of digital devices, you should know what the symptoms are. Some of the more common symptoms include:
- Burning or itching
- Tearing
- Sensation of something in the eyes
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- A “pulling” sensation in the eyes
- Headaches that start after reading or being on a computer for longer than 15 minutes
Eye strain can be caused by a number of factors. Because you don’t blink regularly when reading of using a computer, the eyes can dry out causing burning, itching, and tearing as well as cloudy or blurry vision.
A pulling sensation can be caused by having prescription glasses that are not right or need to be updated, causing the eyes to overwork in an attempt to keep things focused. An incorrect prescription can also cause headaches.
Avoiding Digital Eye Strain
But you can avoid eye strain caused by computers and other technology. Some of the easiest ways to do this include:
- Taking Breaks: About every 45 to 60 minutes, take a break. Either get up from your computer screen and walk around, or simply focus on something off in the distance for a few minutes. Looking at an object in the distance helps relax the muscles of the eye that do all of the focusing.
- Using Artificial Tears: When you take your break, put a drop of a good artificial tear in each eye to help prevent them from drying out. You can also put drops in every 15 minutes while working if your eyes are particularly dry. Blinking more frequently will also help moisturize the eyes.
- Having Your Glasses Checked: If you start to notice a pulling sensation, or if you start having headaches in the afternoon, get your prescription checked by your optometrist or ophthalmologist. You may need a change. If you’re over 45, you may need reading glasses.
Adding an Anti-Reflective Coating: Glare from your computer screen or iPad can cause your eyes to become overworked. Consider adding an anti-reflective coating to your glasses or computer screen.
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