Eyes hurt? No surprise. We spend an average of 8 hours and 47 minutes a day looking at screens, according to a Nielsen study.
We strain our eyes daily in countless ways – phones, computers and video games just for starters. Television, too, contributes to eye strain regardless of how big your screen. When your eyes are tired, you may feel overall fatigued and have headaches and even body pain especially in your shoulders, back and/or neck. Your eyes may also feel dry, burning and itchy.
Unlike type on a printed page, computer characters are brightest at the center and lighter on the edges. This causes your eyes to jump around as they try to focus, making them tired. According to the American Optometric Association, 41% of Americans say they’ve experienced eye strain.
Eye Strain Prevention Tips
You can reduce eye strain by following a few preventive tips from EyeMed Vision Care:
- Get an eye exam before starting a job requiring extensive computer use.
- Use a flat-panel monitor or LCD screen with crisp resolutions.
- Place the monitor at eye level about 20 to 26 inches away from you. Always use the computer in a proper light.
- Blink more often to keep your eyes moist.
- Take breaks from your computer to rest your eyes especially if you are working from home during the pandemic.
- To monitor and manage your symptoms, visit your eye doctor at annually, or more if recommended.
When we spend too much time on our screens, we lose time for other essential things. Think twice next time before reaching for a screen of choice.
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