How to reduce eye strain

Many of us spend a lot of time at a computer monitor and experience irritating and uncomfortable eye strain regularly. Here are some tips on how you can ease the strain:

20/20/20 rule every 20 minutes glance away from your monitor at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will relax your eye muscles.

Blink more frequently. Your eyes need the natural lubrication that blinking provides (normal blinking is every 5 seconds).

Computer users often blink less than normal resulting in dry, itchy or irritated eyes. Artificial tears (re-wetting eye drops) can be used to lubricate your eyes, preservative free is the best option.

Adjust your workstation. Position your monitor 18–30 inches from your eyes with the top of the screen at eye level where you can look slightly down at your work. Eliminate reflected glare on your screen from surrounding lights. Sitting parallel to a window, closing blinds, an antiglare monitor screen and antiglare coating on your glasses all reduced unwanted reflective glare.

Use special eyewear. If you spend the majority of your time at a computer, glasses or contact lenses designed for you to focus correctly on your computer screen can help. These special glasses or contact lenses are designed to accommodate your unique viewing distance and angles at your computer.

Relax. If possible, lean back, relax and close your eyes for a few moments.

To schedule an appointment, please contact Sonoma Eyeworks Optometry at 707-578-4200.