Protect Your Eyes from the Screens

If you work on a computer, multiple monitors, or watch a lot of TV, you may have noticed symptoms of tension in your eyes. Prolonged viewing of the screen may cause discomfort, headaches, eye pain, and difficulty concentrating. The eyes may become dry and itchy.

In addition, frequent eye strain can worsen existing eye diseases. To protect your eyes from digital damage, we recommend:

1. Regular pauses from working.
2. Ensure good lighting. If the room is too dark, the eyes are more strained. The eyes need to work harder to compensate for the poor lighting.
3. Try out eye exercises.
4. Get your eyes examined – daily computer users should have their eyes checked every year to minimise eye problems.
5. Mind the reflections – light reflected from the screen and nearby surfaces/objects can increase the strain on the eyes. Light sources that cause glare must be removed or the angle of the computer screen must be changed.
6. If you have been prescribed glasses to work with your computer, be sure to put them on when you start working.
7. Only wear your own glasses – don’t borrow them from anybody else.
8. Adjust the display settings as needed. Choose the right brightness and color level, resize the text to make it easier to read. Review your settings at the beginning of each month to make sure they’re still working for you.
9. Get a new screen if necessary.
10. If you have difficulty focusing on your computer screen, you might be time for a new monitor. Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are the most visually appealing because they usually do not flicker or reflect light.
11. Increase desk space so you can be sure you’re sitting at the right distance and angle from your computer screen. The home TV screen should also not be too close. The optimal viewing distance for the TV is 3 to 4 times the diagonal length of the TV. Assume that the diagonal of the TV is 40 inches, or 106.2 centimeters. This TV should therefore be viewed from a distance of at least three meters.
12. Avoid dry eyes. Dryness can be a side effect of eye fatigue. This can be corrected in the short term by closing your eyes for several seconds or by blinking slowly. If the problem persists, ask your ophthalmologist or optometrist for the suitable eye drops.