Anna Maria Richards
The human eyes are one of the body’s most sensitive organs. The cornea, which acts as the eye’s outermost lens, is highly susceptible to damage, and therefore making sure you protect your vision is crucial.
Nowadays, we are constantly surrounded by bright lights and screens. Technology has inundated our lives and even more so with the rise in remote working, so you should ensure that your eyes do not suffer from digital strain.
Digital strain is a vision-related problem that results from the prolonged use of digital screens. Overuse of these digital technologies can result in both eye discomfort and vision problems. Here are just a few ways that you can give your eyes a rest and reduce digital strain.
Take Frequent Breaks
Taking frequent breaks may seem like the most obvious solution; however, it is also one of the most disregarded. Ideally, when working in front of a screen you should take a break every 20 minutes. There is a common 20:20:20 rule that is easy to follow. Take a break from the screen every 20 minutes, for a minimum of 20 seconds, and look at something that is at least 20 feet away.
Adjust Your Screen Settings
Another easy way to place less strain on your vision is by adjusting the settings on your screen. This includes adjustments to text size, contrast, color temperature, and brightness. Try to match the brightness of your screen with the brightness of your workstation. The text should be at a comfortable size for reading and for best results you should read off of a white background with black text. Lastly, adjusting the color temperature will help you reduce any blue light strain.
Exercise Your Eyes
You may be wondering, what exactly are eye exercises? Like most parts of the body, the eyes can also benefit from regular exercise. The easiest exercise is repeated blinking, this helps refresh the eyes and maintain focus. Another exercise you can do is flexing; this involves facing forward whilst looking straight ahead, look up and down without moving your head approximately 10 times. Spending time outdoors is another great way to improve your visual health.
Choose the Right Eyewear
Finally, if you are still struggling and experiencing symptoms of digital strain, it may be because of your choice of eyewear. You may find that you are in need of some new glasses. Whatever prescription you have, you will always find a pair of glasses that suits your style and personality. You could choose to invest in a new pair of thin or thick prescription glasses that are fit for any occasion.
Your vision tends to become impaired as the years go by, therefore, it is recommended that you visit your optician for a test every so often. Symptoms of digital strain include eye fatigue or discomfort, neck and shoulder pain, red eyes, blurred vision, and eye twitching. If you have followed our tips and still suffer from discomfort, make sure to book an appointment with your optician.
