Whether you work on the front line or in an executive office, chances are, screens play a major role in your profession. While the conveniences of computers often save hours of time during your workday, they do take a toll on your eyes. Read below for tips and eye exercises, such as the 20-20-20 rule, to improve your ocular ergonomics.
Computer users should arrange their workstation so that the computer screen is 18-30 inches from their eyes.
To minimize the strong glare from glass screens, use a matte filter on your devices. This will help prevent eye strain.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: take a break every 20 minutes by looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
The 20-20-20 Rule
After a long period of using digital devices, your eyes may begin to feel fatigued, dry, or blurry. These are all signs of eyestrain.
The 20-20-20 Rule is an eye exercise recommended by the Mayo Clinic to prevent eyestrain. To complete it, you simply look at something that’s at least 20 feet away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes you’ve stared at a screen.
Tips For Applying the 20-20-20 Rule
- Set a 20-minute timer before you begin using your device
- Try to look out of your window during the 20 second break
- Close your eyes during the 20 second break
- Set a 20-minute timer before you begin using your device
- Try to look out of your window during the 20 second break
- Close your eyes during the 20 second break
Use Artificial Tears
Another handy and effortless way to alleviate your dry eyes after long hours of looking at the screen is to utilize artificial tears, which are an eyedrop solution for dry eyes.
Due to the long hours of computer use, office workers often have dry eyes that are caused by a lack of lubrication. Dry eyes can lead to eye redness, difficulty with reading, and more.
However, dry eyes can also be caused by allergies, autoimmune diseases, or other causes. Make sure you talk to a doctor if you’re unsure of the cause of your dry eyes.
Exercise Your Eyes
Did you know that your eyes are made up of SIX muscles? Eye exercise is highly important because they relax and strengthen these eye muscles. This is especially necessary when we live in such a digital world. So, next time you are sitting at your desk and feel the eye fatigue setting in, try the above tips to relieve the strain on your eyes and keep those muscles strong.