Did you know that the average American spends more than 10 hours a day staring at screens?
All that screen time can quickly take its toll on your eyes, leading to blurred vision, headaches, and trouble seeing clearly.
Since most of us don’t have the luxury of giving up technology altogether, finding ways to reduce the burden on your eyes is important.
Luckily, there are tons of simple methods you can use to reduce computer eye strain and keep your vision in top condition.
Keep reading for our top tips.
Adjust Your Display Settings
Staring at a bright white screen in a pitch black room is bound to cause some level of eye strain in even the healthiest person.
Making small adjustments to the brightness and color temperature of your screen can make a big difference, and there’s plenty of software that allows complete control.
You can set your screen to gradually become warmer and dimmer as the day goes on, which protects your eyes and makes it easier for you to fall asleep at night.
Take Regular Breaks
If you’re on a computer all day at work and then all evening after you get home, it’s no surprise that you probably have trouble seeing.
Taking breaks as often as you can give your eyes a much-needed rest.
Ideally, step away from the computer for at least 10 minutes every hour, and look at something other than another screen.
If that’s not possible, at least look around the room for a few seconds every now and then, focusing on objects in the distance rather than what’s right in front of you.
When you’re not at work, try hobbies that are easy on the eyes – like sports, reading, or crafts.
Get a Professional Eye Exam
It’s recommended that healthy adults get an eye exam at least once every other year – or more frequently if they wear glasses or contacts.
If you’re experiencing issues with your vision, it’s smart to get eye exams more often. Your optician can check for any issues or abnormalities that might mean you’re more susceptible to computer eye strain than others.
You’ll get answers to common questions, like ‘How do I know if I need glasses?’ and, ‘How can I keep my eyes healthy?’
Your optician can also recommend exercises to help your eyes recover from excessive screen time, reducing the risk of long-term problems.
What to Do if You Have Trouble Seeing After Looking at Screens
Many of us have trouble seeing after a long day staring at screens, and issues once in a while aren’t a huge concern.
However, if you’re regularly struggling with blurred vision, eye pain, and headaches after looking at screens, something needs to change.
It’s smart to see an optician for a professional opinion, reduce the amount of time you spend looking at screens, take regular breaks, and adjust your brightness settings.
Small changes can make a big difference, so don’t risk damaging your eyes for nothing.
Hiring outside help can reduce your screen time – so check out our services today.