Working from home has its advantages. But the change of scenery presents its own unique problems. Many people are now spending hours staring at a screen, participating in Zoom meetings, and answering emails.
These recommendations straight from the optometrist will help you reduce eye strain while you work from home.
REGULAR EYE EXAMS
Just as you would get regular exams for your overall health, your eyes should get the same treatment. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam each year to keep your eyes in their best health. Be sure to mention your screen use, from computers to phones.
Here's a pro tip, measure the distance between your eyes and your screen when looking at your computer. Give these measurements at your exam so the optometrist can test your eyes at your working distance.
BLOCK BLUE LIGHT
Now that more people are working online, more time than ever is spent on the computer. If you're spending your days looking at screens, it's a good idea to consider blue light blocking glasses.
The harmful potential of blue light is suspected in macular degeneration and the retina's light-sensitive cells. Blue light can also interfere with your sleeping patterns. Getting glasses that block out the blue light are a great option if you're often looking at a screen.
YOUR EYES NEED EXERCISE TOO
Computer eye strain comes from focusing on a computer screen for long lengths of time, also known as focusing fatigue. Experts recommend following the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at an object that's 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
This helps relax the eye lens and muscles used for focusing and can reduce eye strain. Do these eye exercises throughout the day, whether you're working or relaxing at your computer.
ADJUST COMPUTER DISPLAY SETTINGS
You may not know that your computer settings can be causing some of your eye strain, but the fix is simple. Adjust your light display settings to be the most beneficial for your eyes.
You should keep your brightness at approximately the same as the brightness of your workstation. Both screens that are too bright or too dark can cause strain. You should also adjust the text size, so that it's not too small to read.
Ensure the contrast of the text is comfortable. Black print on white backgrounds is typically the best combination.
TAKE BREAKS
This is a must not only for working but for any time you're spending looking at a screen. During your break, step away from the computer frequently throughout the day. Staring at a screen can cause eye strain as well as back, neck, and shoulder pain.
It's a good idea to take 10 minutes every hour to stand up, walk around, and stretch out your arms, back, shoulders, and neck. This reduces tension and muscle fatigue throughout your body and gives your eyes a break from the computer.
DRY EYES
Staring at a computer all day can cause dry eyes leading to blurred vision, eye discomfort and pain. Our optometrists can diagnose dry eyes through detailed testing and find the right treatment for you. Our optometrists frequently treat dry eyes with great success. We can provide a personalized and effective treatment plan and follow-up care to treat the dry eye and prevent permanent damage.
CONSULT AN OPTOMETRIST
Working from home takes some adjustments. It's true that living your life through a laptop screen takes some lifestyle changes, but they don't have to feel like a disruption to your life. Use these tips to help maintain your eye health and consult our optometrists for personalized diagnosis and treatment plans.
Digital eye strain is a big issue now that we've taken our lives online. If you've experienced eye strain issues, schedule an appointment with our optometrists in Windsor and Tecumseh to have your eyes examined today.