How to Prevent and Treat Eye Strain

Tips to Relieve Eye Pain, Vision Problems & Eye Fatigue

Jun 21, 2009 Salma Jafri

Looking at a computer monitor all day long can easily cause eye problems. Here are some eye care tips and exercises for better eye health.

Most people are used to working long hours in front of a computer screen without realizing the detrimental effect it is having on their eyes. This can easily give rise to eye problems such as eye strain, eye fatigue, eye stress, eye pain, blurred vision, headaches, and more seriously, eye infections and eye disease.

Fortunately eye pain relief can be had by following just a few simple precautions and preventive strategies. Here they are:

Follow the 20/20/20 Rule for Eye Health

This rule states that one should look away from the computer monitor every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds at an object approximately 20 feet away. This rule helps get in some much needed and oft-neglected eye exercise to stretch the eye muscles.

Invest in a Good 17 – 19 Inch LCD Monitor

Exchange an old CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor for an LCD (liquid crystal display) one because the latter will give a better quality and a sharper image, thus reducing the need to squint and strain.

Check the Monitor’s Refresh Rate

A refresh rate lower than 70Hz (hertz) will cause dry eye and vision problems; change your monitor’s refresh rate to at least 85Hz or higher.

Monitor’s Resolution and Sharpness

A low resolution will cause squinting and hunched shoulders, which in turn will cause both eye and neck strain! Experiment with a computer resolution and image display that can be seen without squinting and without leaning forward. Further, tinker with the monitor’s settings to ensure that the image is sharp and easily readable, and not blurry and out of focus.

Position the Monitor Correctly

The eyes should look slightly downward at the monitor, optimally at a 15 degree downward angle. This ensures that the neck is not being unduly strained. Additionally, the monitor should be at arm’s length (20-30 inches) away from the face. For more information on how to pick an office chair to help maintain the right distance from the monitor, see How to Buy Ergonomic Office Chairs.

Hydrate Eyes

Wash eyes regularly with cold water or use a saline solution in the form of eye drops to prevent dehydration which can lead to dry, itchy eyes.

Provide Sufficient Lighting

Make sure the workspace has both ambient and task lighting to help reduce blurred vision problems caused by inadequate light. Also ensure the use of an anti-glare screen for the computer monitor if glare is a problem in the work environment.

Use Computer Glasses

Get an eye exam every year and get tested for glasses especially if you have vision problems, eye pain or regular headaches while working.

With these simple tips and precautions, eye problems can be easily treated before they develop into something requiring surgery or treatment. Take care of the eyes—they are after all, the windows to the world! Ensure the use of proper equipment and keep your eyes healthy and problem-free!

Check out a related article on How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which affects the hands, arms, wrists and shoulders.

The copyright of the article How to Prevent and Treat Eye Strain in General Medicine is owned by Salma Jafri. Permission to republish How to Prevent and Treat Eye Strain in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Computer Monitor Eye Strain

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Jun 22, 2009 7:33 AM

Guest :

Along with proper ergonomics, taking regular breaks from the computer to do eye exercises can help prevent or reduce the effects of computer eye strain.

Our eyes and vision were designed for viewing distance as hunters and gatherers, and not for ongoing near work as required by regular computer use. As a result, Computer Eye Strain is becoming one of the major eye complaints heard by eye doctors today.

Symptoms can include increased myopia, blurred vision, headaches, slow refocusing, difficulty concentrating, neck, shoulder and back pain

Eye strain can be reduced significantly by taking regular breaks from the computer, resting your eyes, stretching and doing eye exercises.

For a demo of 3 great eye exercises by Dr. Grossman, one of the Country's leading behavioral optometrists, go to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10j2fL0hy0">http://www.y outube.com/watch?v=W10j2fL0hy0</a>

Dr. Grossman also offers his free eye exercise booklet at his website at <a href="http://www.naturaleyecare.com/eye-sample.asp">Natural Eye Care Free Eye Exercises</a> with his 11 favorite eye exercises and acupressure eye points to massage regularly.

Finally, there is also an excellent section at his website on "Computer Eye Strain" under "Eye Diseases" that provides a <a href="http://www.naturaleyecare.com/diseases.asp?d_num=14">Co mputer Eye Strain “Self-Help“ section</a> with great tips of relieving eyestrain due to computer use.

Also, a few research studies show that supplementing with 6mg per day of astaxanthin per day significantly improved eye strain at week 2 and 4 of the test period.

For more information, go to <a href="http://www.naturaleyecare.com">Natural Eye Care for Computer Eye Strain</a>

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