MODIFY YOUR WORKSTATION
There are a number of ways that your overall workstation can cause eye strain. Make sure you’re always sat at least an arm’s length away from the screen.
REMEMBER TO BLINK OFTEN
It might sound obvious, but blinking keeps our eyes lubricated, transfers oxygen to the cornea and helps prevent infection. When you’re sitting staring at a screen, you tend not to blink as often. Try to get into the habit of actively blinking whenever you’re working on your computer.
TAKE A BREAK
One of the best ways to take the strain off your eyes is to look away from the screen. Every 20 minutes, direct your gaze towards something. This forces your eyes to move from short-to-long distance perception, giving them a much-needed moment of rest.
REDUCE GLARE AND USE ADEQUATE LIGHTING
Your computer screen should be the brightest glowing object in the room, so adjust your settings accordingly, if you’re in a dim room, dim the screen and vice-versa.
CLEAN YOUR COMPUTER
Be sure to dust your screen regularly, as dust particles can reflect light and cause another source of glare.
ADJUST YOUR SETTINGS
Do whatever you can to make your screen easier to read, whether enlarging the text size, switching the contrast levels or tweaking the colour temperature.
GET THE RIGHT GEAR
Go for regular eye tests and discuss your use of screens with your optician, they’ll be able to recommend if glasses will help reduce eye strain, as well as what your options are for lenses that are specifically made for computer work with anti-glare tints built in.
