What Is Digital Eye Strain?
Staring at computer, phone, and tablet screens for long periods seriously strains our eyes. Symptoms like dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches, and neck pain are called "digital eye strain" or "computer vision syndrome." According to research, over 65% of adults experience these symptoms — so you're not alone!
The 20-20-20 Rule
This simple rule is the most recommended method by eye doctors: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds. This allows your eye muscles to relax and reduces focusing fatigue. Setting a reminder on your phone every 20 minutes is a great idea to start.
6 Ways to Protect Your Eyes
- Adjust screen brightness: Your screen should match the ambient lighting. Screens that are too bright or too dark strain the eyes.
- Increase blink frequency: We blink 66% less when looking at screens. Consciously blink more often.
- Maintain screen distance: Your computer screen should be at eye level and an arm's length away.
- Use a blue light filter: Activate the night mode feature on your computer and phone, especially in the evening.
- Control room humidity: Dry air increases eye dryness. Consider using a humidifier.
- Artificial tear drops: If eye dryness is severe, preservative-free artificial tear drops provide relief throughout the day.
Exercise Time: Eye Yoga
Try this simple eye exercise you can do at your desk: roll your eyes clockwise 5 times, then counterclockwise 5 times. Next, rub your palms together to warm them and place them over your closed eyes for 30 seconds. This little break will do wonders for your eyes — and your coworkers will want to try it too!
