COVID-19 has increased the amount of time many workers are spending in front of their devices on a daily basis – and that can lead to digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome.
All that screen time in poorly lit rooms can lead to:
- Sore and dry eyes
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Eye irritation (itchy or burning)
Experts in eye care say you should first determine if you have the right glasses or contact lenses. Here are four more strategies for avoiding eye strain:
1. Follow the 20-20-20 rule.
Take a 20-second break from your screen every 20 minutes by focusing on something further than 20 feet (6 meters) away.
2. Go analog and use paper and pen.
You can keep working and still give your eyes a break by taking notes or jotting down ideas in a physical note pad.
3. Try glasses tailored to computer use.
“Special lens designs, lens powers or lens tints or coatings may help to maximize visual abilities and comfort,” according to the American Optometric Association.
4. Find alternatives to TV and screens when the work day is done.
At the end of a long day in front of the computer, avoid jumping straight on to personal screens such as televisions, phones and tablets. Give your eyes a rest and spend some time with those who mean the most to you or do a screen-free hobby.
