6 ways to avoid digital eye strain
Sep 9, 2015
By Naomi MacKenzie
With it being the 21st century, the amount of time we spend in front of a computer screen is massive. Whether it be for work or personal, a lit screen is something we stay glued to. Did you know that this comes with health risks?
Our eyes get weaker over time as is, but we do ourselves a disservice when we over do the digital devices. According to a study featured in Time Magazine, digital/computer eye strain“affects some 64% to 90% of office workers.” And though digital eye strain is not a permanent disorder, it can cause other permanent health issues. Here are some of the things you should stay aware of.
1. Rest your eyes.
Rising of the eyes at a regular interval will help avoid discomfort caused by staring at the computer all day. According to the the American Optometric Association “A simple rule-of-thumb is to take a 20 second break every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away.” If you feel like you can’t remember to do this, try downloading an app called Eye Defender or WorkRave. These will do the work of remembering for you!
2. Keep proper distance.
Visual strain definitely can come from not properly distancing yourself from a device. This goes for any device with a lit up screen, large or small. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration “viewing distances that are too long can cause you to lean forward and strain to see the text, while distances that are too short may make your eyes work too hard to focus.” Try playing around with desk and keyboard placement in order to find the perfect amount of space between you and your computer.
3. Adjust the light.
The light on your monitor should be the brightest light in the room. Ambient light should be about half as bright as your monitor’s light. If using a lot of natural light, a best practice is to try and position the windows so that it is to the side of the device versus in the front or back of it. Full spectrum lights are better than fluorescent lighting as it is too harsh.
4. Use simple fonts.
With all of the apps out there to customize your phone with fancy fonts, it’s hard not to be tempted. For your eyes’ sake, it is in your best interest to stick to an easy to read font. According to a recent study done by the American Optometric Association “Fonts without serifs, such as Arial or Verdana, are better than those with serifs, such as Times New Roman.”
5. Keep the monitor clean.
The last thing you need is for your screen to be full of debris, causing you to have to squint even more. Clean your screen! Also, to prevent a glare, try purchasing an anti-glare screen protector. Another alternative is to paint the walls within your workspace with matte paint, as glare occurs when light reflects off surfaces. This can’t happen with paint that has no gloss.
6. Wear glasses
There are plenty of options out there for those with and without a prescription. For those of you with a prescription, try to remember to wear your glasses. They are given to you for your protection and can even be ordered with anti-glare in them. If you don’t have a prescription, most sporting goods stores carry polarized glasses that can help with the glare as well.