We’re all spending a lot more time at home these days, and that means more time staring at screens. Whether you’re working from home, catching up on Netflix, or scrolling through social media, all that screen time can lead to eye strain. Eye strain is a condition that occurs when your eyes get tired from looking at screens for long periods of time. Symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.

If you’re spending more time than ever staring at screens, it’s important to take steps to avoid eye strain. Here are a few tips:

1. Take Frequent Breaks

Once in a while, take a break. This means looking at something else that isn’t on the screen. This gives your eye a chance to relax for a while, alleviating the risk of eye strain or the symptoms relating to it.

2. Adjust Your Lighting

If possible, adjust the lighting in your home office so that it’s not too bright or too dim. Natural light is best, so if you can work near a window, take advantage of that. But keep in mind to position yourself in such a way that the light doesn’t shine into your screen or behind it, as this can cause glare and worsen your stain.

3. Use the 20-20-20 Rule

This rule says that for every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, you should take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This will help reduce eye strain.

4. Blink Often

When we stare at screens, we tend to blink less, which can lead to dry eyes. Make a conscious effort to blink more often, and if your eyes feel dry, use artificial tears to lubricate them. This includes eye droppers at your disposal, but of course, don’t rely on them too much.

5. Upgrade Your Screen

If you’re using an old CRT monitor, it’s time for an upgrade. LCD and LED screens are easier on the eyes, and you can even get screens that filter out blue light. Blue light is one of the leading causes of eye strain, and with that filter up (or even a software filter), you can reduce the amount of blue light entering your eyes.

6. Get an Eye Exam

If you’re having frequent headaches or your eyes feel strained even after following these tips, it’s a good idea to see an eye doctor. You may need glasses or a different prescription for your contacts.

Conclusion

Strained eyes are never fun to deal with. Not only can it interfere with your productivity, but it can also lead to injuries that may hurt your work satisfaction and so much more. So, if you’re experiencing eye strain, follow our tips! In doing so, you can help reduce eye strain and make working from home a little more comfortable. If you need more help, feel free to reach out to an optometrist for a check-up. They may even offer some solutions to help alleviate eye strain, protect your eye’s health, and more!

Abasa Optical offers comprehensive eye exams to help give you the solution you need to maintain great vision. If you are looking for an optical shop in Surrey, work with us today!