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Computers are widely used in many facets of life including business, work, communication, and entertainment. Throughout its development, computers have increased efficiency, productivity, and connectivity. But just like all things, anything excessive can be harmful. Too much hours spent in front of the computer can cause eye problems, vision disorders, and even affect productivity.
In a study done by the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, there is a direct link between vision correction and productivity among computer users. More so, the study revealed that untreated minor vision problems may not just result to discomfort, but can affect a worker’s performance by as much as 20%.
If you’re using computer everyday and for consecutive hours at a time, you don’t need to sacrifice your eyesight nor your productivity in favor of the other. All you need to do is practice healthy eye care habits while working on the computer, so that you can finish all your tasks without compromising your vision. Here are ways to help you do exactly that.
1. Go to regular eye check-ups.
Schedule regular consultations with your eye doctor, so that you can monitor your eye health. Aside from detecting vision problems, your doctor can also provide proper recommendations on how you can take care of your eyes based on your lifestyle and activities.
2. Wear proper eyewear.
If it’s recommended for your condition, wear proper eyewear when working on the computer. There are eyeglasses tailored for computer use and can provide comfort and reduce strain from prolonged hours in front of the monitor.
If you wear contact lenses, consider using eyeglasses when you’re on the computer. Contact lenses can become dry and uncomfortable when worn for an extensive amount of time.
READ: Eyeglasses vs. Contact Lenses: The Right Choice
3. Blink often.
In some cases, concentrating on work can lessen the times that a person blinks, and this can be harmful to the eyes especially when you’re working on the computer. Not blinking can result to dry eyes. More so, environment in most workplaces are dry, which causes tears to easily evaporate. Consult with your doctor and see if using artificial tears is suitable for you.
4. Apply the 20-20-20 rule.
The 20-20-20 rule is a simple exercise that you can do without compromising time allotted for work. It helps relieve digital eye strain and relax the eyes.
The 20-20-20 rule works this way. For every twenty minutes, look away from the computer, shift your gaze and focus to an object that’s 20 feet or more away, and do it for 20 seconds.
5. Work with the lights on.
Eye strain can be caused by excessively bright lights or harsh lighting. When you work on the computer, make sure that the screen is not just the light source. Place a small lamp on the side of the monitor or place a soft overhead light to lessen the impact of the computer screen on your eyes.
6. Reduce glare.
Glare can come from the walls, surfaces, and reflections on your computer screen, all of which can contribute to eye strain. Consider putting anti-glare screens on your monitors or wearing lenses with anti-reflective coating to minimize the amount of light that reflects on your eyeglasses.
7. Adjust display settings.
The brightness of your computer screen should be leveled in a similar way with the lighting in your surrounding. If your monitor appears like a main light source, it may be too bright. Meanwhile, it may be too dark if the display appears dull.
Meanwhile, the size of font on your computer shouldn’t be too small to the point that you have to squint or move your eyes closer in order to read them. More so, keep text black with a white backdrop, because it provides the ideal contrast that your eyes can handle.
Color temperature should also be reduced in order to lessen the amounts of blue light reflected off the screen.
Computers and digital devices are integral parts of businesses and households. Use them without incurring harm on your eyes through the seven easy and practical steps discussed.
