Give Your Eyes a Much-Needed Break from the Computer Screen

TIPS FOR AVOIDING COMPUTER EYE STRAIN

With the increasing use of computers and smart devices, patients of all ages and their caregivers often need reliable information on computer-related eye strain.

Consider the following tips for your patients (and you):

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule. One of the most popular tips for minimizing eye strain is to take a break from the screen every 20 minutes and look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds or longer.

• Blink often. People blink less frequently when working on computers and smart devices. The site allabout vision.com recommends that every 20 minutes, blink 10 times slowly, as if you were falling asleep.

• Post a note on the computer or device that says “BLINK!” Geteyesmart.org, which presents eye health information from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, suggests this easy method for reminding you to blink.

• Tweak the factory-installed settings. If your computer is causing eye discomfort, adjust the brightness, contrast, and font size until you find the best settings, says WebMD.

• Sit about 25 inches from the screen and position it so the eyes gaze slightly downward. This, along with reducing glare, can help ease eye strain, says geteyesmart.org.

• Stay off the e-reader before bed time. Not exactly an eye-health tip, but according to a recent study published in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, light-emitting electronic devices used immediately before bedtime may cause sleep deficiency and disrupt circadian rhythms, both of which impact performance, health, and safety. OP

Source/Ophthalmic Professional