HOW TO PREVENT EYE STRAIN FROM DIGITAL SERVICES.

WHAT IS EYE STRAIN?
Many people sit in front of a computer all day at work, then go home and sit in front of another screen for hours. They do this without knowing the damaging effect it has on the eyes. The eyes may feel tired or irritated after focusing on a screen for a long time. This is known as Eyestrain.
Eye strain is a condition that accrues over time from focusing the eye on screens for long, uninterrupted periods of time. These devices include computers, televisions, or any other display device. This makes the eye muscles unable to recover from the constant tension required to focus on an object.
Eye strain resulting from spending long hours on display devices is also known as Computer Vision Syndrome. It is a common condition that has become more common in this digital age.
When concentrating on an intense virtual task, the ciliary muscles and the extraocular muscles are strained. Unlike a book or piece of paper, screens add contrast, flicker, and glare. This makes matters much worse for the eyes as they focus and refocus all the time.

CAUSES OF EYE STRAIN

• Viewing blurred images: Eye strain can occur when trying to view blurred images (including images blurred for censorship) due to the ciliary muscles tightening in vain to focus the blurring out.
• Looking at digital devices for long periods of time without breaks.
• Bright light or glare
• Straining to see in very dim light
• Dry air from air conditioners
• Maintaining poor posture

SYMPTOMS OF EYE STRAIN

• Dry eyes: Researchers have found that when we use digital screens, we blink less. This causes dry eyes. Humans blink 15-20 times a minute and this action spreads tears in the eyes.
• Headache: Eye strain headache appears after you focus on something for a long time.
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Blurred vision
• Sore or tired eyes
• Sensitivity to light

HOW TO PREVENT EYE STRAIN FROM DIGITAL DEVICES

We use screens a lot these days. To work, to relax, or to keep up with our daily lives. If your eyes feel dry, sore, or if your vision is blurry at the end of the day, it is because of these screens. You may not be able to cut out all your screen time, change the nature of your job, or work on all the factors causing eye strain but you can take steps to prevent eye strain.

• Blink often: Blinking produces tears that moisten and refresh the eyes. Try to make it a habit to blink often when looking at a screen.
• 20-20-20: Throughout the day, give your eyes a break by looking away from the monitor. The 20-20-20 rule is every 20 minutes take a look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
• Adjust your screen settings: Enlarge the type for easier reading and adjust the contrast/brightness to a level that is comfortable for you. The light emitted from digital devices should not be brighter than your surrounding light.
• Check the lighting and reduce glare: Bright lighting and too much glare can strain your eyes and make it difficult to see objects on your monitor. Place an anti-glare screen cover over the screen.
• Adjust your monitor: Position your monitor directly in front of you about an arms-length away. This is so that the top of the screen is at or below the eye level. It helps to have a chair you can adjust.
• Install computer and smartphone applications that reduce the amount of blue light emitted from the screen, particularly at night.
• Use artificial tears to refresh your eyes when they feel dry. Use eye drops.
• Use a humidifier to help add moisture to the air and prevent dry eyes.