How to Prevent Computer-Related Eyestrain

With more and more people spending the majority of their workday in front of a computer monitor, the incidence of eyestrain has increased considerably. Working for long periods of time in front of a computer can lead to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), characterized by dry, irritated eyes, trouble focusing, headaches and blurred vision, also called eyestrain. Eyestrain or CVS doesn't have long-term consequences, but it's definitely uncomfortable. Here are a few ways to prevent eyestrain from computer use.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Table or Floor Lamp
• Full-spectrum Light Bulbs

1. Take frequent, short breaks. Set a timer to go off every 30 to 45 minutes to remind you to get up and walk around or focus on something closer or farther away than your computer monitor. Frequent, short breaks are better for preventing eyestrain than a few longer breaks.
2. Evaluate your lighting. Correct lighting goes a long way to prevent eyestrain. Fluorescent lights flicker at a very high rate and can cause eyestrain. Turn off the overhead fluorescent lights and use a table or floor lamp equipped with a full-spectrum light bulb. Also, make sure you're not getting glare from a window or another ill-placed lamp.
3. Increase text size on web pages by holding down the Control key and moving the scroll wheel on the mouse, up to increase size, down to decrease. On a Windows PC, it increases text size in the browser. To control text size in a browser on an Apple Macintosh Computer, hold down the Command key (the one with the Apple logo on it) while hitting the plus (+) to increase, or minus (-) to decrease text size.
4. Zoom in on your documents. Microsoft Office has a "Zoom" feature in the "View" Menu. Mac allows you to zoom your entire screen. Hold down the Control key and move your scroll wheel up to zoom in, or down to zoom out. Other programs may allow you to zoom in as well. Consult the help documentation or search the web.
5. Work in full-screen mode. Most programs allow you to work in full-screen mode, allowing your eyes to focus on one task at a time. In Office, go to "View" > "Full Screen" to work in full-screen mode. You can search the web on how to trigger full-screen mode on your other programs.
6. Ask your eye doctor if computer eyeglasses would help reduce your eyestrain. Computer eyeglasses narrow the focus of your eyes to the near and mid-ranges, relieving eyestrain.
7. Exercise your eyes (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Never start any exercise program (including eye exercises) without consulting your optometrist or ophthalmologist first.