Do you have itchy and irritated eyes? Here are some steps to take for relieving the strain
After a hard day’s work, it is natural for your eyes to feel sore, especially after too long hours. In most cases, the eye strain can be temporary. However, if it does not go away, there are remedial measures you can put in place to help you get relief. Such home and lifestyle remedies can prevent or reduce eyestrain to an extent.
So, do you have itchy and irritated eyes? Here are some steps to take to relieve the strain.
Best eye practices
These days, you can readily buy artificial tears from any pharmacy or medical store. These medicated eye drops can relieve and help prevent dry eyes instantly. Apply these artificial drops even if you feel okay to avoid severe symptoms and comfortably keep your eyes well-lubricated. Your eye physician can suggest which brand of artificial tears might be appropriate for you.
You can use the artificial eye drops available without preservatives as often as needed. However, if the lubricating drops contain preservatives, it is best not to use them more often unless otherwise prescribed by the eye doctor. Do not buy redness-removal artificial tears, as these can worsen dry eye conditions. Talk to the pharmacist before you buy it.
When doing close tasks, take breaks and rest by looking away occasionally from the digital devices. Throughout the day, give yourself a break by looking far away for at least 20 seconds. Blinking less than usual while working at a computer can also contribute to eye strain. Blinking the eyes triggers the ducts to produce tears that can keep your eyes moist.
Try to blink more often than you would when working at a computer. Constant computer usage for some people can be a common cause of strain to your eyes. Apart from blinking, wear suitable eyeglasses. Ask your local optician for details about single vision prescription glasses or other types of prescription glasses that you need so you can start using them immediately.
Correct room settings
Keep the lighting in your rooms softly lit, especially if you are watching television; otherwise, it can be too harsh on your eyes. The worst-case scenario generally is if the light sources are behind or above you, including sunlight and fluorescent lighting. Consider switching off all or some of the lights that are above you.
When reading printed materials, place the light behind you to make it fall directly onto your page. While reading at a desk, avoid direct glare onto your face by using a shaded lamp. Bright lights can make it hard to see. If you require light for reading, use a desk lamp. Avoid holding your printed materials directly in front of a white wall or window.
The best light for healthy eyes is warm light, such as mild to medium sunlight. Many windows nowadays allow natural light without allowing harmful ultraviolet wavelengths to penetrate. These windows can flood your home or office with natural light, which is healthy for your eyes. If not, you can invest in some LED or incandescent bulbs.
Apart from the lighting, installing a humidifier in your room can help prevent dry eyes. Regulate the thermostat to avoid smoke and stop blowing air. Consider quitting cigarettes if you are in the habit of smoking. Moving your seating arrangement to a different place may help prevent the dry moving air from falling right on your face and eyes.
Manage your computer
Place the monitor about an arm away and directly in front so the screen is below or at eye level. Use an adjustable chair and regulate the screen settings, such as enlarging the fonts of your text for comfortable reading. And control the brightness and contrast to a comfortable level. Fit a cover over your computer screen that can emit less glare.
If there is a need to read printed materials while working on the computer, place the reading materials on a holder. Some manufacturers design document holders so you can place them either on the right or left side, depending on whether you are left-handed or right-handed. You can set others between the monitor and keyboard. Find the most appropriate document holder that fits you.
Anti-glare filters fitted onto your computer screen can reduce the light that reflects and emits from your screen while working. This way of using the computer can considerably minimise eye strain and prevent eye fatigue to a large extent. Consider using anti-glare eyeglasses, mainly if you use several other types of digital devices, along with desktop computers.
Limiting and changing screen settings is essential not only for adults but also for children and toddlers. Unlike grown-ups, they may not comprehend the connection between eyestrain brought on by constant computer usage, extended viewing, and the importance of regularly resting their eyes. Some parental control and guidance can help maintain the childs’ eye health in the long run.