Have you ever had burning, dryness, eye strain, blurred vision, headaches or neck pain after working at your computer? These are all symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome.
With the increasing use of screens in our daily lives, the impact on our eye health is significant. We blink less frequently, and other factors such as poor indoor air quality, forced air from heating or air conditioning, low humidity, and suboptimal lighting conditions can all contribute to the strain on our eyes. This discomfort can lead to decreased productivity and negatively affect physical and mental health.
Studies on blink rates reveal that our blink rate drops by 2/3 when on a screen. Incomplete blinks are also a problem, where the upper and lower eyelids don’t fully meet. Blink rates also decline with smaller font sizes, lower screen contrast, and increased cognitive demands of tasks.
Why is blinking important? Blinking lubricates, cleanses and nourishes the eye including bringing oxygen to the cornea.
Optimize Your Workspace to Prevent Computer Vision Syndrome
Ergonomic Workplace Setup for Eye Health
Ensure workspace lighting is neither too bright nor too dim, with natural light preferred.
Avoid direct overhead lighting; use task lighting at your desk.
Position monitor at arm’s length.
Set monitor height so eyes are at the top third of the screen with a neutral neck position.
Increase font size, contrast and adjust brightness to match the outdoor changes in light.
Eye Exercises for Screen Users
Keep your head still and move eyes right/left, up/down, and in circles (three times each).
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Close your eyes periodically to help lubricate them.
Take screen breaks. Studies show taking three 30-second breaks and a 3-minute stretch break each hour reduces eye discomfort and boosts productivity by 15%.
Use a timer to remind you to take breaks.
Hydration and Air Quality
Drink plenty of water for eye health.
Use a small desk humidifier to improve air quality.
Consider an air filter for better ambient air quality and eye comfort.
Let us know what you do to take care of your eyes when you experience Computer Vision Syndrome symptoms.
If you have any questions about how our ergonomics assessments can help you feel better at work, please reach out.
These are great tips! I get eye strain staring into the screen all day! Ari