March is Save Your Vision Month. Today we are going to go over a few tips and tricks to keep your eyes healthy.
So many of us spend many hours a day looking at a computer or phone. Because this is a newer way of life, we do not know the long-term effects staring at a computer all day will do to our vision. The good news is that we can be proactive and do a few things to ensure our eyes are staying healthy.
1. Get a yearly eye exam. It is so important that once a year you go to your eye doctor and get a dilated eye exam. Not only will this ensure that your vision is good, it will also check the health of the eyes. The health of your eyes can be a sign of your overall health as well.
2. Update your prescription. If you wear glasses or contacts make sure to update the prescription every year. Wearing your old prescription another year may not seem like a big deal, but it may cause your eyes to strain. When your eyes are straining, they will get tired much quicker than normal.
3. Take breaks. Taking breaks every 20 minutes helps your eyes to get the rest they need. The American Optometric Association recommends the 20-20-20 rule. After 20 minutes of looking at your computer, take a 20-second break by looking at something that is 20 feet away. You can use your Time Timer PLUS 20 Minute to keep yourself on track and take regular breaks.
4. Drink a lot of water. Dehydration leads to dry eyes. When your eyes are dry, they strain much quicker. Drinking lots of water will ensure your body stays hydrated and so do your eyes.
5. Adjust your computer settings. Make sure your computer screen is bright enough that your eyes aren’t straining. If your computer screen is too dull your eyes will be straining to see everything on the screen. Also, make sure your screen is not too bright it is causing your eyes to hurt. Find a happy medium in your screen settings that works best for your eyes.
These are 5 ways to help with eye fatigue at the computer. It's a great place to start if you have noticed that your eyes become more tired throughout your workday.