Most people tend to be in front of digital screens for a long time for work and leisure. This results in strain on the eyes, for a lot of people. Other symptoms aside from headaches include blurred vision, dry eyes, and discomfort. As a relief from this, it becomes important to reduce eye strain and secure your vision. The ophthalmologists of Singapore have identified a few effective remedies which can lighten the workload of your eyes. This article discusses six such tips that will help you reduce eye strain.
1. The 20-20-20 Rule
Probably the most practical and very effective solution or technique to reduce eye strain is the 20-20-20 rule. Many doctors have suggested this as a time when eyes do need relief from digital exposure.
Every 20 minutes, look away and focus on something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It allows the focusing muscles of the eye to relax, and by doing this, you avoid overexertion of the muscle. It is common for those who work in offices to have their eyes focused on their screens the whole day. If you can make this a point of practice, the discomfort is minimised and helps one achieve healthier vision.
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2. Adjust Lighting and Screen Brightness
Lighting is one of the biggest contributors to eye comfort. If the light is too bright or glares from the screen, it will make your eyes ache. One may ensure that their room is well-lit but not too bright. You may want to adjust the position of your desk to avoid direct sunlight hitting your screen.
Besides that, it is relevant to change your screen brightness to equalise it with an ambient light. If your screen is too bright compared to your surroundings, your eyes will have to work out more in focusing on what is on the screen, hence the strain. On the other hand, a too-dimmed screen may even cause discomfort. Ophthalmologists would suggest keeping the screen at an exact brightness as your surroundings for the best eye comfort.
3. Maintain Proper Posture and Viewing Distance
Your posture and positioning of the screen are other ways you can prevent eye strain. Poor sitting posture could be in for eye and neck strain, thus setting up increased discomfort with time. Let your posture be upright, feet flat on the floor, and back supported by a chair.
Also, the distance to your screen makes a big difference. Keep your screen an arm’s length away, with the top of your monitor directly at or below eye level. Experts from an eye clinic in Singapore suggest this because it maintains your eyes in a neutral position instead of straining by looking down or squinting at the screen.
4. Blink More Often
Blinking ensures the eyes are kept moist. Some of them do not blink but instead stare at the screen. It is where the eyes become dry. To counteract this, eye doctors advise people to consciously blink frequently, especially when working on computers or other digital devices.
Dryness can exacerbate eye strain and blinking keeps your eyes moist and comfortable. If you feel dry, lubricating them with artificial tears or eye drops recommended by an eye doctor in Singapore would reduce symptoms.
5. Take Regular Breaks from Screens
Another important precautionary measure in avoiding eye strain is to take periodic breaks from work. Continuous sessions without breaks in screen time will lead to digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome. Eye physicians suggest a five-minute break every hour to ward off this nightmare. Within those five minutes, stand up and walk away from your screen to stretch your body and give your eyes a rest.
During these breaks, avoid other digital devices (phones or tablets) to allow complete rest for the eyes. It allows the eyes to relax and may avoid the risk of developing long-term strains while keeping the vision healthy.
6. Schedule Regular Eye Check-ups
With all these prevention methods, going to an eye clinic in Singapore would still be necessary to ensure eyes are healthy! They establish if you need prescription eyeglasses or modifications in your prescription that will help alleviate the strain, especially when you have to work on your computer for extended hours.
Also, an eye doctor in Singapore will give you personalised advice to prevent eye strain, considering your needs. Regular eye examination is a sure way of ensuring any problems are caught early and that the eyes stay healthy.
Eye strain inflicts a great deal of discomfort on persons who stay in front of the screen for extended periods. However, following these six easy tips proposed by eye doctors in Singapore will help you in proactive measures towards protecting your vision, and reducing eye strain: Practising the 20-20-20 rule to adjust your screen settings and posture strategies can make a real difference in daily life.
In case of persistent strain or discomfort of the eyes, it might be a good time to see an eye specialist. Visit Nova Eye Centre today, we will be pleased to schedule an appointment for professional care.
