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Your eyes hurt. Your head aches. And there you sit, peering at your computer monitor. If you’re one of the many people who use computers every day — either for work or personal use — you may experience eyestrain as a result.
Eyestrain: Signs and symptoms
Common signs and symptoms include:
* Sore, tired, burning or itching eyes
* Watery eyes
* Dry eyes
* Blurred or double vision
* Headache and sore neck
* Difficulty shifting focus between monitor and paper documents in your work area
* Color fringes or afterimages when you look away from the monitor
* Increased sensitivity to light
Eyestrain associated with computer use isn’t thought to have serious or long-term consequences, but it’s disruptive and unpleasant. Though you may not be able to change the nature of your job or all the factors that can cause eyestrain, you can take steps to reduce the strain.
New habits
A few simple adjustments in how you work or search for data on the Internet can spare your eyes an unnecessary discomfort.
Follow these simple tips to reduce eyestrain:
- Take eye breaks. Throughout the day, give your eyes a break by forcing them to focus on something other than on your screen.
Try the following exercise: Hold a finger a few centimeters in front of your face; focus on your finger as you slowly move it away; focus on something far in the distance and then back to your finger; slowly bring it back toward your face. Then, shift your focus to something farther than eight feet away and hold your eyes there for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise 3 times, several times a day.
- Do not stick your face on the screen.
- Try to give yourself a five-minute rest every hour. Do other work, such as phone calls or filing, during this time.
- Refresh your eyes: BLINK !!!! .
Because many people blink less than normal when working at a computer, your eyes may dry after prolonged computer use. Blinking produces tears that can help moisten and lubricate your eyes. Make a conscious effort to blink more often.
- Use artificial teardrops, if necessary.
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Available over the counter, artificial tears can help relieve dry eyes that result from prolonged sessions at the computer.
- Relax!!.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath through your nose; hold it for four seconds, then exhale. Continue this deep breathing for 15 to 30 seconds. Perform this simple exercise several times a day.
- Get appropriate eyewear.
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If you wear glasses or contacts, make sure the correction is right for computer work. Most lenses are fitted for reading print and may not be optimal for computer work. Glasses or contact lenses designed specifically for computer work may be a smart investment.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Useful softwares
Protect your eyes
Eye-Strain.org releases its own software for Eye Strain. This small utility helps to eliminate the maximum eye strain. It is recommended for all computer users. The recommended time is 30 minutes which should be set however the user is free to set his own duration for getting the alert.
Read more: Protect Your Eyes – CNET Download.com
F.lux
Ever notice how people texting at night have that eerie blue glow?
Or wake up ready to write down the Next Great Idea, and get blinded by your computer screen?
During the day, computer screens look good—they’re designed to look like the sun. But, at 9PM, 10PM, or 3AM, you probably shouldn’t be looking at the sun.
F.lux fixes this: it makes the color of your computer’s display adapt to the time of day, warm at night and like sunlight during the day.
It’s even possible that you’re staying up too late because of your computer. You could use f.lux because it makes you sleep better, or you could just use it just because it makes your computer look better.
Disclaimer
The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice or care from a healthcare provider. The information on this website is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments, or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visiting with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your healthcare provider because of any information you obtain on this website. Discuss any activities presented in this website with your healthcare provider before engaging in the activity.
