Protecting your eyes is more important now than ever before. In the past, we tended to associate most incidents of eye damage with industrial-type accidents involving chemicals, flying debris, and the like. But now that people of all ages are commonly using digital devices for many hours each day, we’re seeing a marked increase in eye strain, blurry vision, dryness, and other related problems.
And we’re seeing these conditions at younger ages than ever before. Eye strain is common in children who often use computers at school, as well as spending a lot of time on their mobile devices. It’s a challenge for parents, guardians, and teachers to monitor children’s time on their devices, but it’s important to learn and teach our “digital natives” the following strategies to protect their vision for the near- and long-term.
While using computers, it’s important to remember to give your eyes a rest by regularly looking away from the screen. Use the 20-20-20 rule as a guideline. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. Set a timer on your phone if you tend to lose track of the time. Other adjustments your eyes will thank you for: lower the brightness of your screen, increase the font size on your devices, and keep the screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes.
Additionally, when we’re concentrating on a screen, we tend to forget to blink, which can dry out your eyes, causing irritation. During your 20-second break from the screen, make sure to blink or close your eyes for a few seconds.
Have a great eye care team
Our staff of professionals at Takle Eye Group know just how to support your vision to help you perform your on-screen work and leisure more safely and comfortably. At your next eye exam, tell us how much time you spend looking at screens and how you do so – for example, do you sit at a desk, in a chair with a laptop, or do you watch movies while sitting in bed with your tablet, or on a phone? Your doctor can offer suggestions to help relieve eye strain, such as wearing prescription computer glasses. People who normally wear contacts, bifocals, or progressive lenses at work can wear these glasses to reduce eye strain and discomfort.
Before all else, get your eyes checked to make sure you have the proper eyewear, then adjust your computer as needed, give your eyes (and yourself!) a break from digital devices, and take other precautions to protect your eyes at work, school, and home. Your friends at Takle Eye Group are dedicated to helping you keep your vision clear and comfortable!
