• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV

6 Ways to Protect Your Eyes From Your Desk Job

Whether you’re remote or in the office, desk jobs have become the norm. Unfortunately, staring at a computer all day can have damaging effects on your eye. If most of your days are spent staring at a screen – TV, computer, phone or tablet – your eyes may start hurting. Digital screens can cause headaches, dry eyes, itching and in some cases, grainy sight called vision snow. These eye problems may indicate a condition called computer vision syndrome.

Signs of Computer Vision Syndrome

  • Blurred vision 
  • Dry eyes
  • Red eyes
  • Sore or irritated eyes
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Light sensitivity 
  • Headaches

If you have eye strain, headaches, soreness or dry eyes, it might be related to your all-day exposure to computer screens. Realistically, there might not be a whole lot you can do to reduce your screen time. But there are multiple steps you can take to reduce the effects of digital eye strain. 

RELATED: 15 Foods Proven to Improve Your Vision

Blue Light Filter

Blue lights filter glasses are a relatively inexpensive way to reduce eye strain. The high-energy blue lights that emit from the computer are straining to the retina. Filter glasses lower the amount of blue light that reaches your retina, reducing the likelihood of digital eye strain and long-term retina damage.

You May Also Like
7 Proven Ways to Cure an Upset Stomach

Similarly, you can place a blue light blocking screen panel or filer on your computer or phone. If you wear prescription glasses, consider upgrading to photochromic lenses, blue light filter lenses and anti-glare coating lenses. 

Adjust your computer settings

Having your screen brightness set too high or too low can cause eye strain. Avoid websites and texts that use small hard to read fonts on colored backgrounds. Update your setting to use large black font on white backgrounds. Also, adjust your computer’s color temperature to a warmer tone.

If you’re not one to manually change your computer setting, consider downloading an app that automatically adjusts your computer’s setting. Another alternative is to use an anti-glare and blue light screen filter. These filters have the bonus of acting as a screen protector and privacy filter. 

READ: Your Eyes Need Love Too

You May Also Like
How One Woman Eliminated 50 Fibroids without Surgery!

Blinks and Breaks

Concentrating on a screen for long periods decreases how often you blink. It also causes your teardrops to evaporate, which leads to dry eyes. The 20-20-20 rules advise that every 20 minutes, you should look away from your screen to an

object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

A simpler solution is to practice mindfulness and remember to blink your eyes throughout the workday. Generally, you should take 15-minute screen breaks after every two hours of work.

Increase the distance

Changing the position of your computer can help protect your eyes from straining. The American Optometry Association suggests that your computer screen be at least 20-28 inches away from your eyes.

Another option is to use a larger monitor so you can place the screen farther and reduce hunching and leaning.

RELATED: Natural Ways To Take Care Of Dry Eyes

Lubricate your eyes

Regularly using lubricating eye drops can help moisturize your eyes and combat eye dryness. You can buy artificial tear drops over-the-counter without a prescription. The eyedrops are easy to apply and often provide immediate relief.

If you have severe dry eyes that do not improve with OTC eyedrops, your eye doctor might be able to offer prescription strength drops and gels.

Drink Water

Regularly drinking water and maintaining hydration can help reduce dry eyes. Drinking water supports tear production. Dehydration can cause dry eyes, which might exacerbate the dry eyes caused by digital screen time.

Staying hydrated is especially important if you’re a regular coffee or soda drinker. Caffeinated drinks are mild diuretics, which can dehydrate you. So, try to form the habit of always having a water bottle on your desk. Take steps to ensure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day.

November 22, 2021 by Afy Okoye

The Latest In Eye and Vision

6 Ways To Avoid Digital Eye Strain

With it being the 21st century, the amount of time we spend in front of a computer screen is massive. read more about 6 Ways To Avoid Digital Eye Strain

4 Quick Tips For Tired, Red Eyes

Need to show off your pretty eyes, but you and your late nights aren't getting along? If you don't have read more about 4 Quick Tips For Tired, Red Eyes

7 Things Every Contact Lens Wearer Needs To Know

Whether worn to improve your vision or change your eye color, contact lens have become extremely popular in the eyewear read more about 7 Things Every Contact Lens Wearer Needs To Know

Diabetic Retinopathy: 7 Ways To Prevent Yellow Eyes

Health problems in the Black community are wide and vast. Though, key leading diseases like diabetes remain a huge health read more about Diabetic Retinopathy: 7 Ways To Prevent Yellow Eyes

6 Ways To Keep Your Eyes Healthy As You Get Older

Some people may think that there’s nothing they can do to prevent poor vision as they age but that’s not read more about 6 Ways To Keep Your Eyes Healthy As You Get Older

10 Ways Your Eyes Are Telling You Something Is Wrong

Your eyes are more than a window to your soul. They can also give you some insight into what’s going read more about 10 Ways Your Eyes Are Telling You Something Is Wrong

Primary Sidebar

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.