While strained eyes may seem like a common and accepted part of working in a modern office and getting older, it could in fact be a sign of larger problems.
Eye strain itself is not a definitive diagnosis but a symptom of underlying issues, such as blepharitis, an inflammation of the eye lid, says Mark Eltis, an optometrist in Toronto who also teaches at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry.
Symptoms of strained eyes include fatigue, headaches, a burning sensation in the eyes, sore neck and, in rare cases, double vision, says Victor Chin, a Victoria-based optometrist. Dry eyes may also be a sign of eye strain.
Visit your optometrist regularly to check for issues related to the eye strain. If symptoms persist, you should also consider seeing your family physician.
If you are between appointments however, here are a few easy ways to help avoid or reduce eye strain while at the office:
> Adjust your computer
The eye wasn’t designed to sit in front of a computer for eight hours a day, says Eltis, but the reality is that the computer is a fact of life in today’s world.
To lessen the strain a computer puts on your eyes, Chin suggests, place your screen an arm’s length away. Align it slightly below your natural gaze — where your eyes point when you’re looking straight ahead. Use a larger font on documents to increase readability. Increase the resolution and screen refresh if you use an older monitor.
> Check the lighting
Make sure you have enough lighting in your office and that lights are properly placed.
Ideally, the light source should be above you and off to one side, says Chin. Do not put the light directly behind you to shine on a computer screen, as the glare can hurt your eyes. Similarly, a light source directly behind the computer screen will cause problems, because it would shine right into your eyes.
>Take breaks
Give your eyes a rest.
Every 20 minutes, look away from the computer screen for a few seconds into the distance, such as out a window, says Eltis. Let your eyes relax.
Says Chin: “It’s like a little stretch every now and then, but for the eye muscles.”
> Remember to blink
It’s not polite to stare, even at the computer. And it will hurt your eyes, so don’t forget to blink once in awhile. Blinking moistens the eyes with tears.
“Although it sounds really simple,” says Eltis, “when people are at the computer they have a tendency to stare and that dries out the eyes.”
> Change your lenses
Get the right glasses for your work in the office.
There are glasses that are designed specifically for offices, says Chin. They soften the glare on computers and they can also be used for reading.
“It’s not like a true bifocal,” he says, “but it is a lens for the office environment.”
Speak to your optometrist or eye care professional about them.
IE