How to reduce eye strain

Eye strain is a common problem and whether it is from working on a computer, watching TV, driving or any number of other activities, your eyes can become fatigued and lose focus. When working at a computer, people blink less frequently — about one-third as often as they normally do — and many blinks performed during computer work are only partial lid closures, according to studies.

Serious eye strain can cause some other problems like short-term head and neck aches. This can also come from using tablets and smartphones.

If you spend a good part of your day using the computer, the 20-20-20 rule might help you relax your tired eyes. The 20-20-20 rule suggests that after every 20 minutes, the computer user should take a break for at least 20 seconds and look at objects that are 20 feet away from you.

Also, look at how your workstation is set up such as the distance between your eyes and the screen. Conventional wisdom is that the screen should be 16-24 inches away from your eyes. This is not necessarily correct, and you should find the best distance is “as far away as possible while still being able to read it.” Longer distances relax the eyes. Other items to check are:

• Adjusting the lighting that works best for you
• Minimizing glare
• Checking your display settings including for color, contrast and text size
• Using eyeglasses designed for all-day computer use
• Trying to blink more often

There are more tips in RS Safety Library – ergonomics section.

Rick Means, WR’s Director of Safety & Education, is available to members to help draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360-943-9198 x118, or [email protected]