How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy During Long Hours on a Computer
Do you spend the majority of your days in front of a PC or laptop screen? If so, you're not alone. According to a study by the National Institute of Health, nearly 90% of Americans use a computer for work or leisure purposes. While computers can be a great tool for productivity and entertainment, they can also be harmful to our eyesight if we're not careful. In this guide, we will discuss some tips on how to keep your eyes healthy during long hours on a computer!
Keeping your eyes healthy - How to do it after spending long hours on a computer
Our eyes are strained like never before. The blue light that comes off of screens is proven to be harmful, and over time can cause serious damage to our vision. In addition, spending long hours staring at a screen can lead to eye fatigue, dry eyes, and headaches. If you spend a lot of time on the computer, which is 50% of today's jobs - it is essential to take some steps to protect your vision. Experts from Block Blue Light say that you should always think about the 20-20-20 rule. "For every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away." Of course, there is much more you can do, and we are going to discuss it.
Take breaks every 20 minutes
It is essential to take breaks every 20 minutes, even if it is just for 20 seconds. During these 20 seconds, you should look at something that is at least 20 feet away from you. These frequent breaks, also known as the 20-20-20 rule will help your eyes avoid strain and fatigue while working. In addition, you should try to take a break every two hours to walk around and give your eyes a chance to rest. Our eyes are not meant to stare at screens for long periods of time, so it is important to take breaks often. Taking breaks is also good for your overall health, as it can help to reduce stress and improve your productivity.
Blink often
When we stare at a screen, we tend to blink less often. This can lead to dry eyes and eye fatigue. To help combat this, you should make a conscious effort to blink more often when you are using a computer. You can also try using artificial tears or eye drops to help keep your eyes lubricated. Blinking is often something we disregard, but it is actually very important for our eye health. Not only does it help to keep our eyes lubricated, but it also helps to clean them and remove any foreign particles.
Adjust your screen's brightness and contrast
If you find yourself squinting or straining your eyes to see your screen; it is probably time to adjust the brightness and contrast to suit your eyes. You should also try to position your screen so that there is less glare. Glare can be very harmful to our eyes, so it is important to reduce it as much as possible. In addition, you should try to use a larger font size when you are working on your computer. This will help to reduce eye strain and make it easier for you to see what you are doing.
Use a computer in a well-lit room
It is important to use your computer in a well-lit room. This will help to reduce eye strain and fatigue. If you can, try to position your screen so that there is no direct light shining on it. You should also aim to properly adjust the brightness of your screen, so your eyes do not feel too much strain from the environment. In addition, you should try to avoid working in a dark room, as this can actually be harmful to your eyesight.
Turn off the blue light
We come to the main bad guy - blue light. Blue light is the type of light that comes off of screens and is proven to be harmful to our eyesight. In fact, studies have shown that it can actually damage our retina over time. To help combat this, you should try to use a blue light filter on your computer. There are many different programs and extensions that you can use to do this. In addition, you should try to avoid using your computer in the evening, as this is when our eyes are most sensitive to blue light.
There are many things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy during long hours on a computer. By following the tips above, you can help reduce eye strain, fatigue, and even damage to your eyesight. Remember to take breaks often, blink often, adjust your screen's brightness and contrast, use a computer in a well-lit room, and turn off the blue light. Your eyes will thank you!