Everywhere we go, we now carry our digital world with us. People spend an average of 6 hours a day in front of a digital screen, whether that be at work or at home. This can lead to CVS, computer vision syndrome, symptoms may includes:
- blurry vision
- headaches – can be caused by repeated eye strain
- dry eyes – can result from less blinking
- fatigue – can result from staring at the screen trying to see small fonts
- irritation
- neck and back pain
- long-term short-sightedness
But all is not lost, we don’t need to throw away that new tablet just yet!
When using a computer adjust your environment:
- sit 20 to 26 inches away from the screen, with the centre 4 to 6 inches below your eyes,
- you should be looking slightly downwards
- top of monitor should be at or just below eye level
- monitor positioned flat and directly in front of user
- adjust the size of the text on the screen, so you don’t need to squint
- make sure you use the right brightness and contrast so you don’t have to strain to see clearly
When using hand held devices:
- viewing angle slightly below eye level
- device at comfortable distance from eyes
- font size and browser settings enlarged for eye comfort
- screen resolution contrast and brightness adjusted for eye comfort
The solution…..
| Keep hydrated drink at least 1.2L of fluid per day to prevent dryness of the eye |
Keep in mind the 20-20-20 rule and take a break
- Every 20 minutes
- Take a 2o second break
- Look at something that is 20 feet away
- Or you could stretch your legs, go outside or go speak to someone