Computer eye strain isn’t something you think about very often, but once it happens to you, it’s difficult to ignore.

It’s more important than ever to protect your eyes from computer screens and smart phones. Preventing the problem rather than treating it is the best way to do this.

Simple preventative steps can help safeguard eyes from computer screens and smartphones, and in this post, we’ll look at a number of them.

Does Staring at a Screen Hurt Your Eyesight?

Because almost everyone uses a screen in their daily lives, digital eye strain (DES) is more frequent than ever.

While not everyone spends their days staring at a computer screen, the majority of people do. According to experts, DES affects almost half of all computer users.

So, do screens deteriorate your vision? The good news is that eye strain is not a permanent condition.

Although there is no evidence that strain causes long-term vision damage, it does produce extreme discomfort and makes getting through a work day difficult.

Eye Strain from the Computer;

What is the impact of the screen on the eyes? There are a few signs to keep an eye out for, and they differ slightly depending on whether you use a computer or a smartphone. Let’s look at some of those signs and symptoms, as well as how to avoid them.

Symptoms of Computer Eye Strain

According to the American Optometric Association, the most common symptoms of eye strain are headaches, impaired vision, and, in severe cases, neck and shoulder pain.

When your eyes squint, they alert the rest of your body to a problem.

The fact that we stop blinking subconsciously while reading screens causes dry eyes, and other uncomfortable reactions are triggered by the body’s communicating that something is wrong.

When you use a computer all day for work, these symptoms will appear after extending amounts of time in front of a screen.

Let’s look at how to keep your eyes safe from screens.

How To Keep Your Eyes Safe From Computer Screens

1. Follow the rule of 20/20/20.

Your eyes aren’t made to stare at anything in front of you all day. During long work days, the 20/20/20 rule provides a much-needed break for your eyes.

If you stare at a screen for 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away. However, the longer you look away from your computer screen, the better.

2. Examine the lighting in your room.

When you’re working on a computer, it may seem paradoxical, but less light in your room is actually healthier for your eyes. Close your curtains and decrease your use of fluorescent lighting in your office to keep it from being overly bright.

Make sure your ambient lighting is about half as bright as the average office by using lower power bulbs.

3. Have your eyes examined on a regular basis.

Regular eye exams help you stay on top of your eye health and ensure that your problems aren’t anything more serious than typical eye strain. It also provides you with an excellent opportunity to speak with a professional about your habits and eye health!

4. Reduce glare

Glare on your computer screen might cause eye strain because it prevents your eyes from adjusting to the material you’re attempting to focus on as quickly as they should.

If at all feasible, use a matte anti-glare screen (rather than glass-covered LCDs). If you wear them, make sure your glasses have an anti-reflective coating.

5. Utilize High-Resolution Displays

CRT screens are no longer required for the majority of people. Those were the old computer screens with low refresh rates, which caused a visible flicker and made your eyes hurt.

Today’s screens have refresh rates of 75Hz or higher. The higher the number, the better. Furthermore, higher-resolution screens make people seem more alive. Your eyes don’t have to work as hard to make sense of the visuals in front of you when you can’t see the pixels.

6. Reduce Blue Light

Blue light has a short wavelength and has been linked to eye damage. Reduce blue light by using special glasses or lowering the screen’s color temperature. It’s well-suited for long-term use.

Eye Strain from a Mobile Phone

Mobile phone screens, like computer screens, have the potential to cause eye strain. Because we use them in place of pens and paper for almost everything, it’s something we should all discuss. How do phones, on the other hand, impair your vision?

Symptoms of Phone-Related Eye Strain

The symptoms of phone eye strain are similar to those of computer eye strain. It can make your eyes dry and irritated, and it can cause headaches around your eyes and blurred vision.

We, on the other hand, utilize our phones in a different way than we do our PCs. We can spend hours staring at a computer screen.

We use our smartphones for brief periods of time throughout the day, which can add up to many hours. In general, this is better for your eyes, but if you’re straining to look at your phone, it’s possible that these symptoms will last all day without you realizing it’s because of eye strain from your phone.

Let’s look at how to keep your eyes safe from phone screens.

How To Keep Your Eyes Safe From Phones

1. Change the screen’s settings

Because your screen looks great right out of the box, it’s easy to forget that it can be adjusted. Everyone’s eyes are different, so you may adjust the contrast, brightness, and text settings on any smartphone.

When you’re at home, turn down the brightness or enable automatic brightness settings to have your phone react to your surroundings. Increase the text size to make it simpler to read text messages.

2. Keep a Safe Distance

From 16 to 18 inches away, you should be able to see everything on your phone’s screen. Hold your phone at arm’s length, but if you find yourself doing so, consider zooming in on your screen instead.

3. Select Night Mode.

Android and Apple smartphones and tablets now have night mode features that make it easy to automatically cut back on eye strain when it’s dark at night.

The screen settings on your phone will change based on the time of day when this option is turned on, so make sure you do this.

4. Don’t Forget to Close Your Eyes!

It’s easy to forget to blink when using smartphones and tablets, which may seem stupid. We become oblivious to the device because we are so concentrated on the material.

When we blink, we are keeping our eyes wet and focusing them. To avoid strain and dryness, do it frequently.

5. Use Screen Protectors with Anti-Reflective Coatings.

Although smartphone screens are glossy, matte screen protectors give you the look of an outdated LCD panel. They shield your screen from glare caused by ambient light or sunlight. They’re also reasonably priced!

7. Make use of Synthetic Tears.

Artificial tears can be an excellent tool in keeping the eyes comfortable and lubricated for all sorts of eyestrain, whether induced by computers or mobile devices. Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops are available in a variety of formulations, both with and without preservatives. It’s possible that you’ll have to test a few before settling on the one you like best.

Important Eye Protection Recommendations

It’s vital to adjust the brightness on your phone, but most phones can do so automatically. Because your device has an ambient light sensor, the light will change based on how much light is currently present. There is also the night mode feature that reduces the harm that blue light has on your eyes.

The greater the screen color, the warmer it is. Because long wavelengths are better for you, it’s critical to limit your exposure to blue light.

Keep these pointers in mind while you’re on your phone or computer, and you’ll be good to go when it comes to eye protection. Remember to take such breaks as well.