Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people working from home has increased significantly since last year. However, this has resulted in people spending too much time in front of their digital devices, which in turn has led to an increase in complaints of eye strain and dry eyes. Staring at a screen for too long can also cause headaches, eye fatigue, shoulder pain and in some cases, deteriorated vision.
If you are working from home and are looking for useful tips to protect your eyes from too much screen time, here’s a useful read. These tips are curated by our eye doctors in Kolkata:
Tip 1: Adjust the position of your screen:
The positioning of the screen of your digital device has a significant impact on your eyes. When working, make sure that the screen of your computer or laptop is just below your eye level.
Tip 2: Check the lighting of your room:
Insufficient lighting as well as excessive lighting can put pressure on your eyes – which can cause discomfort and in some cases, vision problems. Usually lower ambient light levels are right for screen- intensive jobs. For paper-related work ( especially when the characters are small) , higher ambient light levels are recommended.
Tip 3: Don’t place the digital device too close to the eyes:
By keeping the device close to your eyes, your eyes have to work hard to see the content. Ideally, you should keep your digital screen at least 50-100 cm away from your eyes.
Tip 4: Take frequent breaks:
When working from home, frequent breaks are necessary as working continuously for a long period of time can affect your eyes and health. Also, taking short breaks enhances work productivity.
Tip 5: Wear computer eyeglasses:
Computer glasses with anti-glare coating and blue light filtering can help you get relief from digital eye strain.
Tip 6: Follow the 20-20-20 rule:
Your eyes, like the rest of the body, need regular exercise. The 20-20-20 rule is an easy exercise that you can do when working from home. After every 20 minutes, look away from your digital screen and focus on an object within 20 feet of you for 20 seconds.
Tip 7: Get your eyes examined annually:
A comprehensive eye exam is a must as it helps detect eye problems at an early age. Even if you don’t experience any change in your vision, make it a point to get your eyes checked at least once a year. Here’s a useful read on why you should be going for regular eye exams.
At Disha Eye Hospitals, we are passionate about providing world-class eye care affordable to all sections of the society. From vision correction surgery and cataract surgery to the treatment of very complex conditions, we offer a comprehensive range of services that meets everyone’s needs.