If you work at a computer all day, you may be experiencing serious eye strain and dry eyes on a daily basis. While these symptoms are common among office workers, they aren't an inevitable part of the job. To help you mitigate the effects of so much screentime, here are three tips that will keep your eyes healthy. 

3 Tips for Preventing Computer-Related Eye Strain 

1. Take Screen Breaks

Computers contribute to eye strain because you're always focusing on the same spot. To help relieve your eyes throughout the day, the American Optometric Association recommends following the 20-20-20 rule. Take a break every 20 minutes to stare at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This practice shifts your eyes from short-distance to long-distance focus, exercises the muscles in the eyes, and gives you a break from the light of your screen. Following this recommendation consistently will help reduce headaches and dry eye. 

2. Remember to Blink

During bouts of intense focus, it's easy to forget to blink. But blinking is essential for healthy eyes, as it keeps them lubricated and helps protect against infections. Prevent dry eyes by associating blinking with routine tasks you perform on the computer. Try to blink every time you open an email, change tabs, or scroll to a new section of the page you're on. 

3. Be Mindful of Lighting

Glare and poor lighting cause extra eye strain, so make sure you always have appropriate lighting. If glare is an issue, try closing the blinds, turning up the screen brightness, or tilting the monitor. If you have control over the lights, use cooler, LED lights to reduce strain. If you're in an office, you can ask HR for help getting appropriate lighting for everyone. 

If you spend hours a day at a screen and are experiencing eye strain because of it, reach out to Tri-State Eye. Serving the tri-state area, including Middleton, NY, and Milford, PA, these eye care experts have almost 30 years of experience keeping their patients' eyes happy and healthy. They provide comprehensive eye exams to determine exactly what kind of care will work best for you. Learn more about their services online, and call (845) 703-2020 to make an appointment.