Many jobs today require looking at a computer screen for hours. Even if you aren’t using your computer much for work, you might be glued to it or another device screen in your free time, reading, catching up on news, spending time on social sites, or watching TV shows or films online.
Harlem VistaSite Eye Care in New York City delivers all types of eye care services, including treatment for dry eyes. If you think your computer is contributing to your issue, here’s what to do next.
Are you constantly rubbing your eyes, rinsing them to get what feels like invisible grit out of them, or thinking your eyes need a rest? If so, you could have dry eyes. Dry eye syndrome can mean your eyes experience all kinds of unpleasant symptoms, from feeling itchy and hot to burning like someone sprayed you with pepper spray or a kitchen cleaning chemical.
With nearly everything we do for work or entertainment now online, staring at our screens for hours every day is commonplace. This can contribute to what we call dry eyes and make you worried about your vision.
If you want to stop eye dryness from making every day feel like a trek in the Sahara, there are many steps you can take to reduce eye strain. Many of these steps have to do with how and when you use your computer.
If you must be on your computer for work, try to limit how much time you spend on it otherwise. Consider restricting how many episodes of shows you watch a day, and using apps to lock yourself out of social media for certain periods of time. You can also use the 20-20-20 rule; every 20 minutes, take your eyes off the screen and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eye muscles a break, and help you remember to blink.
Since your eyes are dry, try to rehydrate them (and the rest of your body) by drinking water. If you’re crazy about coffee, tea, or soda, make a rule that for every cup of the former, you get in a glass of water. You can also add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet; try flaxseed oil, chia seeds, and fatty fish meals.
Your computer monitor settings may allow you to change your screen background, or you can download an app to get a filter for your screen. Try a pale gold background with dark brown letters to make reading text less stressful on your eyes.
If you constantly have dry, itchy eyes, eye drops can help. You can get over-the-counter eye drops, or we can prescribe prescription eye drops if needed. If you still struggle with dry eyes, we offer amniotic membrane treatments to restore natural tear production.
To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling 646-453-6506, or book online.
