The longer you spend on a computer, the more likely you are to experience headaches, dry eye, and blurry vision. Caused by eye strain and blue light from devices, these symptoms can be mitigated with the help of an optometrist. Implement the following steps to keep your vision sharp as you work or browse the web.

How to Protect Your Eyes From Blue Light

1. Wear Glasses

If you wear glasses, choose a pair with an anti-reflective coating. This helps reduce the glare from screens and protects your eyes from blue light, the most invasive wavelength emitted by computers.

If you don’t need vision correction, you can purchase anti-glare glasses without prescriptions. This will provide an extra barrier to minimize strain.

2. Try Eye Drops

While using the computer, you blink less. Since blinking lubricates the eyes, this can dry your eyes out, increasing discomfort.

Get over-the-counter eye drops to use throughout the day. These lubricate the eyes, helping prevent blurry vision. If you experience chronic dryness, talk to your optometrist about prescription drops.

3. Use Proper Lighting

Too much or too little light can lead to strain. Move your computer to the side of a window instead of the front, where light constantly pummels the eyes. Fluorescent lights are too bright when paired with computer screens, so turn off any fluorescent overhead lighting and use floor lamps with “soft white” LED bulbs.

4. Adjust the Display Settings

Your computer can also help protect your vision. Adjust the brightness of the display and try to match it to the surrounding area’s illumination level. You can also change the text’s size and contrast to avoid squinting when you write and read.

Try increasing the color temperature of your display as well, which will lower the amount of blue light emitted. You can install an app on your computer that automatically changes the coloring as the day progresses. By the evening, the display will be more orange than blue so that you can rest better after closing your device.

The first step to reducing uncomfortable symptoms is to talk with your optometrist. Medical Eye Associates, S.C. provides comprehensive eye care services to help clients stay healthy. With locations in Waukesha, Mukwonago, Oconomowoc, and Wauwatosa, WI, these eye care professionals provide glasses, contacts, and Lasik® to improve your vision. Call (262) 547-3352 today to discuss your needs, or read more about eye care online.