Basically, monitors negatively affect eyesight for two reasons – improperly organized workplace and lack of mode when working at the computer.
The main danger is that a person for a long time concentrates and stares uninterruptedly into the monitor, because of which the eyes focus for a long time at a close distance, and the eye and intraocular muscles remain immobile for a long time.
This is why the computer can make your eyesight worse. Prolonged work without breaks creates a tremendous strain, as our eyes are designed to constantly refocus, during which the eye muscles relax and tense up.
Signs that your eyesight is negatively affected by computers
How to understand when it is necessary to take measures to save eyesight? What signs indicate that the eyes are experiencing a serious strain? The so-called “computer vision syndrome” or “dry eye syndrome” is expressed in the following symptoms:
- Burning sensation in the eyes.
- A feeling of discomfort, eye irritation.
- Redness, feeling of dryness of the eye.
- Feeling of “sand” in the eye.
Discomfort appears primarily due to overstretching of the eye muscles. Pain and spasms in the eyes appear as a result of constant concentration on the monitor, the image on which inevitably flickers, although this is not always visible. The physiological peculiarity of a person is to blink his eyes every 5 seconds, and when working at a computer, this happens much less frequently. Negative impact also has a negative effect on the wrong location of the computer, poor lighting, incorrect organization of the workplace. Preventing the development of negative results is possible by eliminating the provoking factors. It is also necessary to engage in prevention to protect eyesight.
Exercises for eyesight
Due to prolonged work in front of the computer, the muscles of the eyes are constantly tense. A simple exercise that should be performed several times a day will help to get rid of this condition and relax the muscles:
- Move your eyes horizontally from left to right.
- Eye movement up – down (just look without lifting your head, first up and then down).
- Circular eye movements first clockwise and then vice versa.
- Diagonal eye movement. Look first down to the left, then immediately up to the right. The head should not be assisted.
- Clamp your eyes tightly shut for 3-5 seconds. Repeat several times.
You should also blink more often to prevent your eye from drying out and protect your eyesight. Try to take a break from working with a computer every 20 minutes. Specialists believe that only 20 seconds is enough for a break, and during this period you should just look at any other object to maintain your eyesight.
Proper organization of the workplace
Poor lighting, glare on the monitor screen, lack of clarity – all this negatively affects eyesight and causes serious discomfort. The distance to the screen should be at least at arm’s length, and the center of the screen should be located 10 cm below the level of your eyes to protect your eyesight.
If these parameters do not coincide, make a rearrangement, eliminate all negative factors, check the monitor settings.
Correct posture for better eyesight
In addition to organizing your workstation, it is important to pay attention to your posture. Improper posture when working at a computer for long periods of time can lead to strain not only in the cervical region, but also in the eyes. Proper posture helps reduce strain on your neck and back muscles, and helps avoid overstretching your eye muscles.
Try to sit so that your eyes are level with the top of the screen and your head is not tilted forward. It is also important that your feet are placed on the floor and your back is supported by the chair.
Appropriate screen brightness
Excessive or insufficient brightness of the monitor tires the eyes faster than when the brightness of the monitor matches the brightness of the workplace. It is therefore worth adjusting the brightness of the screen according to the ambient light level. Some modern monitors are equipped with light sensors and the adjustment is automatic. If there is no such sensor, you need to adjust the brightness manually.
When should I use drops for eyesight?
Eye drops for moisturizing, you can use them when the first signs of irritation appear, or for prevention. They contain a special ophthalmic solution that allows you to get rid of the problem of dry eye. Such drops do not have a negative effect on eye health, except for those that contain a vasoconstrictor component. Be careful, as such drops are not recommended to use for more than three consecutive days.
Before starting use, it is better to consult with your doctor.
Contact lenses for computer use
Properly fitted contact lenses do not aggravate the situation when working with computers. On the contrary, they make work easier for patients who need vision correction. Some modern models of lenses are designed specifically to accommodate hours of work at the computer. In case you use lenses for cosmetic purposes and work a lot at the computer, it is better to choose silicone hydrogel “breathable” models.
In any case, regardless of the situation, you should monitor your eye health and take breaks from computer work as often as possible, even if you already wear glasses or protect your eyes with contact lenses.
Use of computer glasses
These glasses are especially recommended for people with refractive disorders (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism). Anti-glare glasses help to neutralize excessive rays of the violet and blue spectrum and eliminate glare from the screen surface, thus reducing the risk of headaches when working at the computer and protecting eyesight. Protective eyewear is also recommended after laser correction to maintain eyesight.
Additional tips for eyesight
Apart from the methods listed above, there are other aspects that can significantly reduce eye strain. For example, maintaining a water balance in the body also affects the health of the eyes. Lack of fluids can lead to dry eyes, impairing their performance. Therefore, it is important to drink enough water throughout the day, which will also help you avoid discomfort when working at the computer.
In addition, don’t forget to have regular eye exams. Even if you don’t notice any discomfort, it is important to have periodic checkups with an ophthalmologist. This will help identify problems early and start treatment before they become a serious problem.
Conclusion
Taking care of your eyesight while working constantly at a computer is an important aspect of preventing visual impairment and maintaining eye health. Proper organization of the workplace, correct posture, regular breaks and visual exercises help to significantly reduce eye strain. The use of moisturizing drops, contact lenses and special glasses also helps to improve comfort during prolonged work at the computer. It is important to remember that regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist and observing the water balance are key measures for maintaining eye health. A comprehensive approach and attention to these aspects will help to avoid long-term vision problems and keep your eyesight at the proper level.
