Fourteen. That's the number of hours that I estimate that I stare at a screen each and every day. Between my computer monitor at home and work, checking my phone periodically throughout the day and watching TV at night. I'm nearly constantly looking at one screen or another. As a result my eyes often get strained and tired because frankly, our eyes weren't designed for that, if you find your eyes constantly hurting or dry and irritated during or after your computing sessions there are a few tips to keep in mind to mitigate the strain on your eyes.
1) The 20-20-20 rule. This is a pretty well known one, but in case you haven't heard of it, for every twenty minutes on the computer, get up and look at something 20 feet away for twenty seconds...20 20 20 get it? It's important to give your eyes that break.
2) Blink more often...It sounds dumb and I know it, but blinking more keeps your eyes moist and prevents them from getting dry and irritated. It's effortless so why not do it?
3) Have more appropriate lighting. Glare from exterior windows on your screen is a killer, forcing your eyes to focus on a screen for extended period is strain enough, let alone adding the strain of having to deal with glare. Close drapes or blinds and keep the ambient light in the room about half as bright as you would expect a typical office to be. Florescent lights are also constantly accosting your eyes, get rid of them and replace them with something else. You may not perceive this extra strain, but the flickering of them that your eye can't perceive wears on them and increases strain.
4) Keep a clean screen. Not only are smudges and fingerprints unsightly on your monitor but they also reduce contrast, forcing your eyes to focus harder. Keeping your screen clear of smudges and even dust will help reduce and prevent eye strain
5) Get plenty of sleep. There is a wealth of information that suggests sleep deprivation can and will intensify eye strain. While you sleep your eyes are replenished with essential nutrients. Lack of sleep can cause persistent eye strain.
6) Consider computer glasses. Most eye glasses aren't designed to be used on the computer, consider taking your glasses off if you don't really need them, or talk to your eye doctor about investing in another pair, with lenses specifically designed for computer use.
However, despite your best efforts, at some point you are likely to encounter some level of eye strain. Eye strain in and of itself it little more than annoyance and is rarely anything to worry about. Eye strain, or eye fatigue commonly consists of dry, itchy, tired or burning eyes. If and when it does happen you should take it as a sign from your eyes that you've worked enough for the time being. While there is no evidence to suggest that "fighting through" eye strain will cause any long term vision problems or damage the eye muscle, having burning, itching, tired eyes will hurt your productivity. In the long run you are better off taking a break and returning to the task at hand once your eyes have had a chance to rest for a while.
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