Let your eye doctor know how often you use a computer, and make sure to schedule an annual eye exam to verify whether your contact lenses or prescription glasses are efficient for your work tasks. Keep track of when your eyes were last dilated. A comprehensive eye dilation exam helps detect glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration, according to CDC. (Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune)
If your job (or recreation) requires you to sit in front of a computer for long periods of time, you may be straining your eyes. Try these 10 tips to avoid computer vision syndrome.
If you don’t make a conscious effort to blink when using a computer, it’s time to do so. If you wear contact lenses, it’s even more imperative to blink because contacts can become dry, brittle and irritable if they don’t have enough moisture. Rewetting drops may be helpful if your eyes are dry during hay fever/allergy season. (Bob Fila/Chicago Tribune)
Look away from your computer at least every 20 minutes. CDC recommends the 20-20-20 rule--every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. (Candice C. Cusic/Chicago Tribune)
Adjust the settings on your computer so you can see the text with ease. Also, make sure the brightness and contrast are adjusted for proper lighting. If you’re not sure how to change your settings, check your computer instructions for keyboard settings or monitor settings. Or, ask a tech support team member for assistance. (Alex Garcia/Chicago Tribune)
Replace older computers that have a cathode ray tube (CRT) with a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, which are common for laptops and many desktops. The anti-reflective surface on LCD screens eliminate the flicker you may see on older computer screens. (Brian Harkin/Chicago Tribune)
Ask your optometrist about wearing anti-reflective (AR) coating over your prescription glasses. The coating helps to lower light from your computer screen or bright walls. It may be a bit of a stretch to ask your employer to paint the walls a different color, but at home, bright white walls in a workplace area may also strain the eyes. (Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune)
Bright lights beaming down on a computer screen can cause eye strain. Try using fewer bulbs and avoid working under overhead fluorescent lights. Also, try moving your computer away from the glare of open windows. (Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Make sure to take a lunch and/or breaks to rest your eyes. This doesn’t mean get your lunch and sit in front of the computer again. Walk around and stretch your legs, back and shoulders. Not only will you be giving your eyes a break, but you’ll give your body a break, too. If you have the flexibility to use a humidifier to avoid dry air, consider purchasing one. (Ed Wagner/Chicago Tribune)
People blink about five times less in front of a computer than they would regularly. Make a conscious effort to blink. If you have dry eyes, use artificial tears or blink several times in a row every 20 minutes. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)
