Wellness Tip : How to Prevent Eye Strain for avid Computer users

For many people, going to work means sitting in front of a computer screen all day. Besides increasing the risk of weight gain from being sedentary, hours spent staring at a computer screen can result in eye strain. In extreme cases, computer users may be at increased risk for developing glaucoma, according to Vision Works, USA. You don’t have to give up your job to prevent computer related eye strain. However, taking a few precautions can help ensure that your eyes are able to handle the demands of your computer for decades to come. Specialized Eye Wear Consider obtaining a pair of specialized computer glasses to wear while you’re working at the computer. Specialized computer glasses may also be a good idea if you normally wear bifocals or progressive lenses, because neither type of prescription is ideally suited for the type of close work associated with computers. If you wear eyeglasses with a conventional prescription, ask your eye doctor about modifying your prescription to accommodate your work at the computer. Another option is to purchase a second pair of computer glasses. Long hours in front of a computer screen can cause eyes to become dry and uncomfortable, especially if you wear contact lenses. Wearing branded contact lenses as opposed to cheaper and inferior ones can also prove helpful. Eye Exercises When you work at a computer or at any sedentary job, taking regular breaks to stretch your legs and give your eyes a break is a necessity. Besides performing simple stretches to give your legs, back, arms and neck a break, computer workers can protect their eyes from strain by doing specialized eye exercises. Many eye exercises can be done right at your desk, and most exercises require no special equipment. • Head Rolls: Tilt your head to the left, then to the right, and finally toward the front. Complete four full sets. • Near-Far Focus: From time to time, look up from the computer screen to focus on an object further away in the room. Alternate from looking across the room, then back to your computer screen. • Scanning: Glance at objects in various points of the room. Allow your eyes to rest briefly on each object, then move on to a new object. Continue this exercise for about two minutes. • Palming: Hold your hand over your face, with your palms toward your face so that your eyes are completely covered. Hold your hands over your eyes as you consciously relax and concentrate on the darkness in front of your eyes. • Cool Water Relief: Immerse a washcloth into a basin of cool water. Hold the dampened washcloth over each eye for about 30 seconds, and then remove the washcloth. Other Strategies to Prevent Computer Eye Strain Set up your work station so that your computer screen is at a comfortable height and that your feet rest flat on the floor when you’re working at the computer. If you work at home, or if you have a say in the equipment your office chooses, it’s worth making an investment in a desk chair specially designed or modified for your personal comfort. Adjust your monitor or laptop display to show black or dark type on a white or light background. Proper lighting that does not produce glare on the computer screen is also important in preventing computer eye strain. Chelsea Hasbrouck is an independent health researcher. Her work mainly focuses on how people can use simple techniques at work to reduce eyestrain and headaches. Her articles mainly appear on health blogs.