Stare At A Screen All Day? 8 Ways To Protect Your Eyesight

Your eyes are your windows to the world. Have you ever considered how different your life would be if you didn’t have your sight?

As much as you may rely on your vision, you might not protect your eyes like you should. As many as one in three Americans put off necessary vision care because of the cost, and the results can severely impact their health. What are some ways you can protect your eyes?

The problems can compound, thanks to our modern lifestyles. Those who work online face additional risks. Here’s how you can protect your eyes from a computer screen and general tips for taking better care of your peepers.

What Are Some General Ways to Protect Your Eyes as You Age?

As with most things pertaining to your health, the best ways to protect your eyes is taking preventative measures and attending regular checkups. It’s frightening to know that nearly half of all older adults report skipping their annual visit to the eye doctor. If you’re among them, you could miss signs of trouble and fail to take action before it’s too late.

The high cost of care is a legitimate concern — even employers who offer health benefits often skimp on dental and vision coverage. However, you have options for covering yourself. You can find both vision benefits plans, where you pay a monthly premium, and discount vision plans where you pay one annual fee for savings on the care you need.

It’s worthwhile, especially considering the soaring numbers of Americans who have prediabetes and don’t know they are at risk. Diabetes can do a number on your vision and even lead to blindness. Other common conditions that can lead to visual difficulties include macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and presbyopia — all of which your eye doctor can test for and recommend treatment.

Also Read: Nutrition For Healthy Eyes

How Can You Protect Your Eyes From a Computer Screen When You Work on One All Day?

If you are one of the many telecommuters since the recent pandemic — or started your online career before that — you have to take extra measures to protect your eyes from your computer screen. What should you do? Follow these tips.

1. Follow the 20/20/20 Rule

One of the best ways to protect your eye health when you work on a computer is to follow the 20/20/20 rule. What should you do?

• Set a timer for 20 minutes.
• When it sounds, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

Practicing this exercise helps relax your eye muscles and prevent the strain and headaches that can occur from prolonged computer work.

2. Blink and Lube

Staring at a screen can leave your eyes painfully dry. However, blinking lubricates your eyes with natural tears — the best moisturizer of all. It might take a bit of mindfulness at first, but you can gradually train yourself to blink more often.

Your other option is lubricating eye drops. These can be absolute lifesavers, especially if others in your workspace crank the heat, forcing you to use a fan, which further dries out your poor peepers.

3. Have Adequate Room Lighting

An investigation at the Lighting Research Center studied two groups of participants. One watched a movie in a brightly lit room, and the other in a dim one. The group in the well-lit environment showed a slower blink rate and less eye strain.

Therefore, think twice about taking your computer to bed with you when you burn the midnight oil. The blue light from the screen messes with your circadian rhythms, and you could exhaust yourself more quickly than you would if you stayed in your illuminated home office.

4. Upgrade Your Monitor

Laptop screens leave a lot to be desired in terms of size and clarity. You can do your eyes a favor by switching to a model that’s specially designed to reduce eye strain. Many of them come with included blue light filters that also help you sleep better at night.

5. Employ Twilight Mode

What if you’re traveling and have to work on your laptop? You can make these screens somewhat better. How? Go into your settings and look for the brightness display control. You should see something labeled “warm” or “twilight” mode that cuts the blue light wavelength. Activate it and adjust the level for your comfort.

6. Use a Screen Protector

Screen protectors have scores of handy uses besides protecting your eyes from excessive glare, especially if working outdoors. Some models can also hide the view of your screen from anyone who isn’t standing directly behind you, protecting your privacy. While it’s still unwise to check your bank account on public WiFi, these devices keep prying eyes out of your social media feed.

7. Invest in Blue Light Glasses

You don’t need a prescription to invest in a pair of blue-light glasses. These block the problematic wavelength to ease eye strain. Best of all, you can pick them up at nearly any drug or department store, often for less than $20, although you can find designer versions if you’re a member of the elite set.

8. Take Frequent Breaks

Finally, the best advice of all to protect your eyes from computer screens is to step away from your device on occasion. Understandably, this advice may prove easier to give than follow — many people are burning the midnight oil these days simply to make ends meet. However, please step away as often as you are able.

Ways to Protect Your Eyes From Computer Screens

Modern peepers face dangers that those belonging to our ancestors did not. What are some ways you can protect your eyes and vision?

Use the above tips to protect your eyes from computer screens. Keep your annual checkup and enjoy clearer vision for life.

Also Read: 10 Foods For Perfect Eyesight