If you work in an office, you probably spend long hours on a computer, which any eye doctor will tell you can be hard on the eyes. But you’re not alone. As many as 70 million people worldwide are at risk for computer vision syndrome, which can be accompanied by headaches and a burning sensation in the eyes. Speak with your eye doctor if you experience these symptoms, and try incorporating some of these tips into your work routine.

4 Tips From an Eye Doctor to Avoid Computer Eye Strain

1. Take Mini Breaks

A team of scientists studied 51 data entry professionals and discovered that workers who took short breaks more frequently experienced less discomfort associated with eye strain. A break as short as five minutes could make the difference. Stand up, go for a walk around the office, and shake out the tension in your body before returning to work.  

2. Reduce Glare

Reflections on your computer screen can exacerbate eye strain. If you have a reflective glass screen on your monitor, ask your supervisor to invest in an anti-glare screen, or pull the shades over the windows. If you have a CRT monitor, consider replacing it with an LCD version. You can also ask your eye doctor about getting an anti-reflective coating on your glasses. Crizal Prevencia is the latest technology on the market that also blocks harmful Blue Light emitted by smart phones and other devices.

3. Dim the Lights

Fluorescent office lighting, combined with sunlight coming through the windows, is too bright for optimal working conditions. If you have several fluorescent tubes over your workstation, have half of them removed to lower the intensity of the light. If you’re near a window, close the blinds or move your computer, so the window is next to you, not behind or in front of you.

4. Fine-Tune Your Settings

Turn down the brightness on your display, so it’s at about the same level as the ambient light around your workstation. On some monitors, you can also adjust the color temperature from blue light to red or orange. Blue light is associated with more eye strain than warmer colors. Finally, if you find yourself straining to read the text on your screen, make it larger and the contrast higher.

Millions of people are dealing with eye strain, but you can take some simple steps to reduce harm to your eyes. If you need help talking to your supervisor, ask your eye doctor for a note or tips and information about the long-term consequences of eye strain.

Digby Eye Associates, serving High Point and Greensboro, NC, offers leading-edge exam, diagnostic, and surgical techniques to provide top-notch eye care to patients. Whether you need a routine eye exam or specialized eye treatment, you’ll find an optometrist or ophthalmologist at Digby Eye Associates with the experience and training to meet your needs. Visit the website for a list of services, and call (336) 230-1010 to make your appointment at the High Point or Greensboro location. Don’t forget to follow Digby Eye Associates on Facebook to learn about sales, specials, and eye care tips.