7 ways to protect your eyes while working on a computer

If you spend a lot of time working on a computer, you may wonder about the best ways to protect your eyes from the screen. Since the pandemic started, many people have had to start working from home, and for many, this means more time in front of a screen. At the office, we tend to go for lunch or take a break to chat with co-workers, whereas at home, breaks usually involve switching between different screens. This doesn’t give our eyes much time to rest.

But the thing is, working on a computer and other screens can take a huge toll on eyes and eyesight in general.

So, if you’ve been meaning to take better care of your eyes, then we have some tips that will help you protect your eyes from the heavy screen time.

Take regular (preferably frequent) breaks

Staring at a screen for too long can be a strain on your eyes. Therefore, be sure to take regular breaks, so your eyes will have a chance to rest and recover from screen blue light. And since our eyes aren’t built for so much blue light exposure, it’s also recommended to make these breaks frequent.

Also, if you’re taking a break, it’s important to do something that won’t involve another screen. That means no TV, phone or tablet. Instead of scrolling on your phone, take a walk, stretch or get something to eat. Spending time outdoors is always a good idea, especially if you’re working from home. So, while you protect your eyes, you can grab some fresh air.

Use tools and protection

Too much screen time can damage your eyes, which is why it’s important to use the right tools and protection. Glare is the screen’s reflection that causes issues whenever you need to see the screen in sunlight. So, an anti-glare screen cover can be a perfect solution to this problem. Also, since it’s vital to keep the screen at eye level, make sure to get an adjustable laptop stand.

Make sure you’re adequately nourished and healthy

Your diet can improve your eye condition a lot, especially foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and vitamin C. Additionally, you might consume supplements that contain these nutrients. Being properly nourished can help with age-related eye issues, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Leafy green vegetables such as spinach are also a nice addition to your diet, as well as raw peppers, lean meat, salmon, nuts, seeds and sweet potatoes.

Let your eyes rest and relax

Make sure to give your eyes enough rest and relaxation after hours of hard work. Whether by taking a nap or meditating, your eyes deserve to recover. That’s why using a portable eye massage tool can be of so much help: it can target the acupuncture points around the eyes and thus alleviate sinus pressure, headaches and eye strain. If you’re spending a lot of time working on a screen, using such a device can help keep your eyes healthy and in good condition while minimizing the harmful effects of too much screen time.

Take good care of your eyes

If you want to preserve good eyesight, then you should take good care of your eyes, no matter what. For example, if you’re wearing prescription glasses, you have to keep them clean so you can see better. If your specs are dirty, then you’re likely straining your eyes even more. Using a cloth and cleaning spray regularly is the best way to clean your glasses. Also, make sure to visit your eye doctor at least once a year to ensure that your eyesight hasn’t changed.

Consider some extra treatments

If you’re already dealing with eye issues, it may be time to consider getting some extra treatments. Laser surgery was more complicated back in the day, but nowadays, it’s an easy process that requires about two weeks of recovery. However, before you decide to commit to laser surgery, make sure that it can help with your eye problems. And if you’re dealing with strabismus, astigmatism and other eye-related health issues, be sure to consult your eye doctor before moving on to any surgical procedure.

Get a humidifier

If you’re working in an air-conditioned office, then you’re aware of how it can make the air feel drier on your eyes. This is where a humidifier comes to the rescue; controlling the humidity of your environment will also help with reducing eye strain. Increasing the air’s humidity can be beneficial for your eyes, but you can also consider keeping a few plants nearby as well. Also, eye drops can be helpful, so feel free to use them after consulting your doctor.

Our eyes and eyesight are some of the biggest treasures that we have, so it’s essential to protect them. Working on a screen can cause eyestrain, so taking good care of your eyes, using helpful tools and taking frequent breaks will help preserve your eyesight and keep your eyes healthy and in excellent condition.

This article was contributed by Lilly Miller, a graphic designer and a passionate writer who loves everything about home décor, art history and baking. Lilly shares her home with two loving dogs and a gecko named Rodney.

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