Digital Eye Strain: Symptoms and Prevention
Freelance writers like me rely on computers and online communication.
There are days when I have worked for five hours straight without a break.
What a mistake.
At the end of this time, my back aches and my eyes feel gritty.
When I proofread work online, no matter how careful I try to be, I still miss errors.
It's frustrating.
Am I the only person who has this problem? Apparently not, as evidenced by the increasing number of articles about a medical condition called digital eye strain.
Many of us have this condition and don't even know it.
Kelsey Sheehy writes about this eye problem in her US News website article, "Digital Education Shifts Strain from Shoulders to Eyes.
" She cites a September 2011 survey conducted by the American Optometric Association.
The results showed that nearly 70 percent of people ages 18 to 33 have dry eyes and sensitivity to light.
You may have digital eye strain and, though it doesn't damage vision, it makes your work harder.
Fortunately, I have become more aware of this eye problem.
When my eyes start to feel dry I take a break.
I do some laundry or start dinner.
Some people take a break for only a few minutes, but a half hour break works best for me.
Corey Pederson lists other ways to prevent this eye problem in "Digital Discomfort," an article published in the Rochester, MN Post-Bulletin.
Pederson interviewed Dr.
Bill Brown, an optometrist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr.
Brown sees patients with this vision problem almost daily.
What is digital eye strain? He defines it as a series of eye and vision problems that affect people who do a lot of work on computers, a definition that includes students.
When we are working at the computer, Dr.
Brown explains, many of us are so absorbed in what we are doing we forget to blink.
Blinking helps to distribute tears in the eys and failing to blink causes dry eyes.
To relieve or prevent digital eye strain Dr.
Brown recommends:
One medication makes my mouth and eyes dry.
I keep a bottle of artificial tears handy and the minute my eyes start to feel gritty, I squirt artificial tears into each eye.
I also make it a point to stay hydrated.
Checking the position of your monitor is also wise.
Sometimes, especially when I am proofreading online, I hunch forward to peer at the screen.
This isn't good for my back or yours.
Instead of leaning forward, move the screen closer to you.
Make sure the screen is straight, not tilted up or down.
Awareness is the best way to prevent and treat digital eye strain, so take good care of your eyes.
Copyright 2012 by Harriet Hodgson
There are days when I have worked for five hours straight without a break.
What a mistake.
At the end of this time, my back aches and my eyes feel gritty.
When I proofread work online, no matter how careful I try to be, I still miss errors.
It's frustrating.
Am I the only person who has this problem? Apparently not, as evidenced by the increasing number of articles about a medical condition called digital eye strain.
Many of us have this condition and don't even know it.
Kelsey Sheehy writes about this eye problem in her US News website article, "Digital Education Shifts Strain from Shoulders to Eyes.
" She cites a September 2011 survey conducted by the American Optometric Association.
The results showed that nearly 70 percent of people ages 18 to 33 have dry eyes and sensitivity to light.
You may have digital eye strain and, though it doesn't damage vision, it makes your work harder.
Fortunately, I have become more aware of this eye problem.
When my eyes start to feel dry I take a break.
I do some laundry or start dinner.
Some people take a break for only a few minutes, but a half hour break works best for me.
Corey Pederson lists other ways to prevent this eye problem in "Digital Discomfort," an article published in the Rochester, MN Post-Bulletin.
Pederson interviewed Dr.
Bill Brown, an optometrist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr.
Brown sees patients with this vision problem almost daily.
What is digital eye strain? He defines it as a series of eye and vision problems that affect people who do a lot of work on computers, a definition that includes students.
When we are working at the computer, Dr.
Brown explains, many of us are so absorbed in what we are doing we forget to blink.
Blinking helps to distribute tears in the eys and failing to blink causes dry eyes.
To relieve or prevent digital eye strain Dr.
Brown recommends:
- Turning on more lights.
Do not work at your computer in total darkness. - Take regular breaks to keep your eyes from becoming tired.
- Remember to blink.
- Practice the 20-20-20 rule.
Every 20 minutes, stop working and get up.
"Look at something that's at least 20 feet away and then blink your eyes 20 times," Dr.
Brown advises.
One medication makes my mouth and eyes dry.
I keep a bottle of artificial tears handy and the minute my eyes start to feel gritty, I squirt artificial tears into each eye.
I also make it a point to stay hydrated.
Checking the position of your monitor is also wise.
Sometimes, especially when I am proofreading online, I hunch forward to peer at the screen.
This isn't good for my back or yours.
Instead of leaning forward, move the screen closer to you.
Make sure the screen is straight, not tilted up or down.
Awareness is the best way to prevent and treat digital eye strain, so take good care of your eyes.
Copyright 2012 by Harriet Hodgson
