Today we’re talking about computers and eyes – don’t worry, not computers with eyes, so there’s no chance of a T1000 coming back from the future to make off with your lunch money, and no spaceship controlling super computers will be reading your lips as you decide to shut them down. I wouldn’t venture out of the escape pods just yet, though, as were looking at reasons that your eyes suffer from strain when you use computers – and what can be done about it.
If you wear contact lenses, you will need to pay extra attention to how long you stay in front of a screen. It’s not always the screen itself that causes eye strain or dry eyes, but there are other factors at work. It might be the lighting of the room, or how often you take breaks that causes your eye strain. It’s important to use proper lighting, as this stops your eyes from straining to see the screen. You can eliminate exterior light by closing the blinds, and try to reduce interior lighting, too. If you have an office with white walls and desks, then the glare can be quite strong. In this instance it’s best to take a break. Go get yourself a cup of coffee – it’ll do wonders for your eyes.
Another tip for avoiding eye strain is of course to keep your eye drops to hand. If you wear contact lenses, then your eyes will dry out faster than if you don’t, which is an uncomfortable thought. You might want to try blinking more, too, as believe it or not you actually blink less when you use a computer. Sitting and staring at a screen is without doubt a short-cut to dry eyes, and it’s worth keeping these ideas in mind when you’ve got an all-nighter of essay writing/a great Xbox game on the cards.
Even if you’re reading a book rather than glazing over in front a screen, it’s a good idea to keep your eyes exercised. You can do this by shifting your focus away from the screen, and onto other points. For example, take a look around the room. Doing this is great exercise for your eyes. And stops them from getting tired.
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