8 Ways to Protect Your Eyes at the Office

Everyone seems to be staring at a screen these days, whether their computer, smartphone, or another digital device. The stress it puts on your eyes can cause a condition called digital eye strain (DES) or computer vision syndrome (CVS). Symptoms include eye fatigue, dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, red eyes, and eye twitching.

How To Protect Your Eyes While You Work

1. Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam

This is one of the most important things you can do. During your appointment, speak with our team at St. Clairsville Eyecare about your working habits, including how frequently and for how long you use a computer. Measure the distance between your eyes and your screen beforehand and share that information with us.

2. Improve Your Lighting

Excessively bright light is a common cause of eyestrain. When using your computer, ambient lighting should be about 50% dimmer than what is typically found in most offices. Consider closing drapes or blinds, and replace overhead fluorescent lights with floor lamps.

3. Minimize Glare

Position your computer so that windows are neither directly in front of nor behind the monitor. Consider installing an anti-glare screen and ask us about anti-reflective (AR) coating for your lenses.

4. Upgrade Your Display

If you have an old CRT screen, consider replacing it with a flat-panel LED display that has an anti-reflective surface. Choose one with a diagonal screen size of at least 19 inches and high resolution.

5. Adjust Display Settings

Adjust your device's brightness, text size, and color temperature for maximum eye comfort. Many devices allow you to reduce blue light exposure, which can be easier on your eyes during extended use.

6. Get Computer Glasses

Ask our team about customized computer glasses, which feature mildly tinted lenses that filter out blue light and reduce glare from digital screens.

7. Blink More Often

When staring at a digital device, people tend to blink up to 66% less. Make a conscious effort to blink more while working to keep your eyes moist and fresh.

8. Exercise Your Eyes

Use the 20-20-20 rule: look away from your computer every 20 minutes and gaze at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This relaxes the focusing muscles and reduces digital eye strain.

Contact St. Clairsville Eyecare in St. Clairsville, Ohio to schedule an appointment. Call (740) 695-0444.