How To Reduce Eye Strain When Viewing a Monitor

Do you get suffer from headaches, blurry vision, tension, or similar problems after using the computer for a long period of time? If so, the problem could be related to improper viewing. According to a recent study performed by the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), using the computer for just 2 hours can lead to some unwanted side effects. And given the fact that many people use it for 8 or more hours a day, it's easy to see the magnitude of this problem.

Ideal Viewing Distance

Reducing eye strain is all about maintaining a proper viewing distance. Some people literally look at their monitor from just a couple inches away, while others sit back on the other side of the room. There's a happy medium that usually suffices for most computer monitors: 20-30".

If you haven't done so already, use a measuring tape to determine the exact length between you and your monitor. If it falls outside the 20-30" range, make some changes to improve it.

Note: the top of the monitor should fall just under your eyes. Remember to sit up right (don't slouch) with your back, spine and neck straight.

Give Yourself a Break

One of the biggest mistakes people make when using the computer is not breaking. Whether you're writing an essay for school or work, or if you're killing time on Facebook, you need to take breaks periodically to reduce eye strain. I recommend setting an alarm on your computer or phone to go off every 30 minutes. When the alarm goes off, stand up and walk around for 30 seconds. This will give your body, and eyes, a break from the monotonous task of staring at a monitor.

Lighting

Inadequate lightning may increase the risk of eye strain while viewing a computer monitor. Remember, viewing a monitor isn't the same as watching a movie from your living room couch. You'll need to focus more to see small details; therefore, lightning plays a major role. If your home office is dim or dark, try placing a floor lamp up against the wall. The extra light it provides will make viewing just a little bit easier.

Blink

Blinking is the body's own way of hydrating and resting the eyes, so make sure you are doing it often when viewing a computer monitor. Staring at a monitor for long periods of time without blinking will certainly lead to some discomfort later down the road.