No matter what field you work, chances are that you use some sort of technology every day. In fact, more than 64% of Americans use a computer at work. [1] Plus, 66% of those Americans use more than one form of technology at work every day, whether it is a cellphone, a tablet or other digital device. [2]
You might be busy at work every day, but if you aren’t taking care of your eyes between projects and meetings, that could cause irritation, dryness and other effects. In order to support your eye health, we suggest taking a few moments out of your work day to take care of your eyes.
Here are 6 ways to take care of your eyes at work:
Wear your glasses or contacts.
This might be obvious, but it’s important to wear your prescribed glasses or contacts to work every day. Although it may be more comfortable to take off your glasses or take out your contacts, this could irritate your eyes. Also, not wearing your prescription causes your eyes to strain in order to see what you’re focusing on which could give you a headache and cause your eyes to tire out. [3] Discover more tips here about reducing eye irritation and how to relieve eye strain.
Adjust your computer settings.
If you do have to look at your computer or device screen all day, there are ways to make it a more positive experience for your eyes. Adjust your brightness on the screen. It shouldn’t be a lot brighter or darker than the intensity of the light around you [4]. You should also make sure the size of the font isn’t too small, as your eyes will have to do more work to focus on the text.
Give your eyes a break.
One great way to rest your eyes at work is by following the “20-20-20” rule. If you’re on your technology for an extended period of time, take a break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away from 20 seconds. [5] Setting an alarm on your phone can help you achieve this.
Wear blue light glasses.
If you’ve noticed that the blue light from your technology is causing discomfort to your eyes, you might benefit from wearing blue light glasses. Although there is a lot of discussion around whether or not computer glasses help your eyes, they may increase your comfort level. [6]
Administer eye drops throughout the day.
Red, itchy and dry eyes are a few symptoms that can manifest from staring at a digital screen for too long and may benefit from moisturizing eye drops. There are two types of artificial tear drops, one that contains preservatives and one that does not. Some people find that the preservatives irritate their eyes and so they need to use a preservative-free variety. [9]
Eat healthy snacks.
One way to support your overall eye health is by eating healthy snacks. There are many foods that are good for your eyes, including: raw, sliced red bell peppers; hummus and veggies; or broccoli with ranch dressing. [8]
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