10 Tips To

Successfully Avoid Eye Strain

How often have you been eagerly typing away on your computer, totally engrossed in what you’re writing, when from somewhere deep in the recesses of your subconscious you become aware of a headache?


Obviously there could be many causes for it, but chances are if you’ve been writing for a while the headache is due to eye strain - especially if your eyes are feeling tired and dry, and your vision’s a little blurry. 


Thankfully, though, while the situation can be annoying at the time, it's reassuring to know there are a selection of easy solutions to lessen the possibility of it reoccurring.

Symptoms

of

Eye Strain

  • Sore, tired, dry or burning eyes
  • Blurry or double vision
  • Watery eyes
  • Sore back or neck
  • Headaches
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Trouble concentrating

1

BLINK REGULARLY
A logical suggestion really, especially considering that eye strain is often caused because when staring at a computer screen we only blink half as often as normal. So why not try setting a routine to blink more often?


2

CHANGE YOUR FONT SIZE

With the wonders of technology, it’s now a quick and easy task to simply increase the font size you're using on your computer. Just changing the lettering from a 11pt to 12pt can make a significant difference.


3

AVOID REFLECTION

Avoid using a monitor that has light reflecting off it. If you find it happening try moving your computer, changing the angle of your screen or pulling a curtain across the window. Alternatively, if you can’t find a quick solution, it is possible to buy a filter to go over your screen.


4

ROOM LIGHTING

Ideally when you’re using a computer you want the light in the room and the brightness of your monitor to be equal, or at least similar. So, if you regularly find yourself typing in the dark, consider placing a lamp to the side of you or using your overhead light more often.

Simple Steps To

Avoid The Pain

The following simple tips should only take a little forethought and conscious effort to put into place. But are definitely worth the effort to ease the pain or frustration of not being able to write.

5

WEAR YOUR GLASSES

Don’t forget to put on your reading glasses. Even if you normally wear contact lenses, switching to glasses will help. 


6

USE A HUMIDIFIER

Along with putting a lamp near your desk, you may also want to consider adding a humidifier to ease your tired and dry eyes.



7

KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE

Where possible keep your computer screen an arm’s length away. 


8

COOLER COLOURS

All monitors have a set range of colours used for their display. These are often referred to in your Settings as warmer or cooler colours.

By lowering the warmth of the colours used on your screen everything will become less blue, and more orange, which in turn will place less pressure on your eyes. In some cases it’s also known to lessen the chance of seizures.

One thing it's important to remember, though, is that if you do alter the display colours and are working on a coloured document, don't forget to regularly switch back to the original settings. If you don't, there's a good chance your finished document will look very different from what you were expecting, primarily because you'll have been using different shades and colours.


9

THE '20 RULE'

In other words, every 20 minutes, look 20 foot away for 20 seconds. See, I said it was simple. It's even easier if you set a repeating alarm on your phone. For anyone out there saying, 'but how far is 20 feet?' that’s around 6 metres - which totally messes up the 20 Rule, but none the less...


10

HAVE A TEABREAK

And one last suggestion, every couple of hours, make yourself a cuppa.


Never underestimate the value of simply standing, stretching, hydrating and focusing on something different for a few minutes.


So there you have it.


Admit it, using any or all of these suggestions would have to be better than fighting on through eye strain, or even trying to type with your eyes closed, right?

AND, just for the record my three favourite from this list are:

~ Wear my glasses: I often forget them (says she currently reaching for them).

~ Adjust my monitor display to cooler colours: this has made a huge difference.

~ Regularly get a cuppa: I’ve lost track of how many times I get to late afternoon and then realise I’ve been so absorbed in my writing that I've only had one drink for the day.

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