Eye Strain From Looking At Computer Screen And How To Reduce It?

Eye Strain From Looking At Computer Screen And How To Reduce It?









Practically, everyone spends protracted periods of time at the computer. Computer eyestrain occurs due to over use or misuse of computer monitors, poor lighting and ergonomic and environmental factors. Stubborn, constant, and unrelenting eye discomfort because of one or more of these factors decreases your productivity considerably and can even damage your eye.

Computer eye strain has become a huge occupation related problem. Statistics state that that eye strain and visual disorders occur in 50 – 90 % of computer users. Problems range from eye strain, twitching of the eye, fatigue, diminished productivity to increased work errors.


Eyestrain develops when the eyes get tired due to over use, although eyestrain can be quite bothersome, it usually is not serious and tends to go away once you give your eyes rest. While you may not be able to alter the nature of your job or the factors that are responsible for eyestrain, you can take effective steps to decrease eyestrain.

Using a computer for prolonged intervals is one of the commonest causes for eyestrain. It is called CVS or Computer Vision Syndrome. A causal eye disorder, such as, an imbalance in the eye muscles or vision that has not been corrected tends to aggravate CVS.


Eye Strain Symptoms

• Burning of the eyes.


• Dry, strained eyes.


• Neck ache.


• Headache.


• Blurring of vision.

How To Reduce Eye Strain From A Computer Screen?

• Take a break, every few minutes and look away from the computer screen.


• Every half an hour, lean back, close your eyes, and relax.


• Overhead lighting and bright lights from behind the screen affect the eyes. The monitor has its own light, so you only need sufficient indirect light around you.


• Do not work in a dark room. Your eyes have to struggle between the extremes of dark and light.


• Adjust the curtains, such that, the light does not fall directly on to the screen.


• Buy good quality task lights that throw a measured amount and quality of light, and also lessen the glare.


• Keep plants at your workspace; they increase humidity and effectively manage dust and irritating particulate matter.


• Use natural tear products to allay dry eyes.


• Another effective home remedy to soothe tired eyes is honey. Instill a drop in each eye and leave on for 15 minutes, every day.


• Have a flat screen. They provide a much more graphically sound image than those provided on the old curved screens.


• It is better to use a laptop.


• Optometrists state that your screen should be between 20 and 30 inches from your eyes. The length of your arm, from the shoulder to the finger tips, is perfect for measuring the distance between yourself and the monitor.


• Have an eye examination before you begin working on a computer and once a year after that. Inform your doctor how often you use a computer at work and at home.


• Blink often; it moistens the eyes and wards off irritation and dryness.


• Look away from the screen every twenty minutes and fix your eyes on at a far-away object for 10 seconds. This helps relax the eye muscle and reduces fatigue.


• You can adjust the font sizes for your comfort. If you find that you frequently lean forward to read the text on the screen, you need to increase the font.