Seven Ways To Protect Your Eyes When Using The Computer

Dry eyes are a natural occurrence for those people who spend so much time in front of the PC or in front of the TV playing computer games. This happens because of the glare. However, that should not be the case. There are ways to keep this from happening even if you are in front of the computer most of the time. Here are some tips that will help prevent you from having dry eyes when using the computer.

1. Adjust the display settings of your monitor. Before you use your computer, try adjusting the display settings because there are times when the setting is too bright and you will have to squint while using it. If you know how to, then adjust it. You don't have to make do with the very bright setting because this will result to your eyes getting dry. Adjust the brightness setting to a level that you find suitable. It should be neither too dim nor too bright.

2. Install screen protectors. These screen protectors are built to reduce the glare being emitted by the computer screen. You can have this installed on your computer. Remember that too much glare does not only dry your eyes it can also damage it as well. Screen protectors are available in various sizes so buy one that fits your monitor. There are also screen protectors that are available for laptops; it would also be an advantage if you put one on the LCD of your laptop.

3. Blinking. Ever wonder why people blink? This provides a short break for the eyes which decreases tear evaporation along with the fact that blinking also increases tear production. So when using the computer, blink as much as you can. Exposing your eyes to the air for sometime will result to dry eyes. This is what you usually do when you are using the computer because you stare and squint so much you barely blink. So the next time you use the computer, remember to blink. Once you feel that your eyes are beginning to dry up blink.

4. Take a break. Everyone needs a break; even your eyes need one. So if you feel like you've been using the computer for sometime already, take a break. Take your eyes off the computer screen and look somewhere else. Look at items located around 10 feet away. This will help the eyes adjust to looking at items at longer distances. It is best if you do this every 10 minutes. Staring at an object for 10 seconds won't take up a lot of time but it will surely keep your eyes from drying out because when you look away from the computer you can blink as much as you can.

5. If you find the glare from the monitor too much, you can always back up from it. Just make sure that you are not too far to the point that you will have to strain in order to read the text. 20-25 inches away from the monitor is already enough but then again it will depend on your eyesight.

6. If you can use the computer only when necessary, then do so. The less time you spend in front of the computer the better. Less computer use means less exposure to glare which is equivalent to lesser risk of dry eyes. If you have to use the computer for long hours try learning to do things fast like learning how to type fast and in case you have to read something very long print it instead of reading it in front of the monitor. Reading it on paper is less straining as compared to reading it from the PC.

7. If you have anti glare glasses for computer use, then wear it every time you use the computer. Other than the screen protectors, these types of glasses are also built to reduce the glare from the computer that gets to your eyes.