Avoid Digital Strain During COVID-19 Pandemic!

Avoid digital strain during covid-19 pandemic
The coronavirus/covid-19 pandemic has millions of people around the world stuck at home. Adults and children are spending more time than ever on electronic devices — working, schooling or just trying to pass the time until we can be with friends and family again.

Computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain?

This is a temporary eye condition which is the result of focusing on a computer screen, tablets and smartphones for long periods of time without breaks. 

If you start feeling headaches, irritated eyes, burning sensation, blurry vision, dry eyes and or neck/shoulder pain.

Don’t worry…

Give yourself the best chance at avoiding digital eye strain by observing these guidelines:

• Monitor location: ideally more than 25 inches from the eye and 6 inches below the horizontal level.
• Anti-glare screens or glasses: will decrease the amount of light reflected from the screen.
• Light effect: use suspended lights from the ceiling and windows with shades, blinds or curtains. Avoid light directly on eyes.
• Air conditioners distance: avoid sitting at a location with direct blow on eyes from a blower or a. Or for a long time in a room with low humidity.
• 20-20-20 rule: take short breaks for your eyes every 20minutes between your work for 20 seconds then look at objects that are at least 20 feet away.
• Remind yourself to blink: it moistens the eyes to guard against dryness and irritation. For the most part, this activity that happens without us having to think too much about it. However, prolonged computer work typically decreases blinking without the worker realizing it. People blink approximately one-third fewer times when working on a computer, and many of these blinks are only partial lid closures. 
• Ask your eye doctor about using artificial tears to help combat dry eyes. Get yourself checked for eye examination once a year.