Even before COVID-19 caused us to hole up in our homes, we were probably guilty of spending too much time staring at screens. Now, with many of us shifting to work-from-home, that constant contact with screens could be even greater, causing strain. However, these tips for avoiding eye strain when working from home could help out your eyes.
Maintain a comfortable distance.
When setting up your space for work, shoot for an arm’s length distance between your face and the screen. This extra space does wonders for avoiding eye strain when working from home—or anywhere!
Match the screen’s brightness to your surroundings.
Watch out for your screen’s brightness. Go for a middle-of-the-road brightness level, matching your surroundings as best you can. Optimally, the screen shouldn’t be much dimmer or brighter than what is around you.
See the 20-20-20 rule.
Always a good rule of thumb to follow, the 20-20-20 rule helps reduce eye strain by giving your eyes a break. Every 20 minutes or so, stare at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This allows your eyes to focus on something different for a bit.
Remember to schedule break time.
Following the 20-20-20 rule’s lead, remember to give your eyes a rest every now and again. Around every two hours, take a 15-minute break from the screen. You can work on another project, gather your thoughts, or jot down notes and reminders to yourself.
Keep on blinking.
We tend to focus so hard on our screens that our eyes forego blinking. Keep blinking somewhat in mind, aiming for 10-15 blinks per minute. Blinking is not only beneficial for our eyes: it’s a simple tactic for avoiding eye strain when working from home.
Position things properly.
Sometimes the proper position makes all the difference. To help out with eye strain and posture, position your screen a few inches below eye level. This helps curb both eye strain and back pain!
Get a humidifier.
If you suffer from dry eyes, having a humidifier handy really helps out. Add one to your work space or home office.
Find time to schedule an eye exam.
Eye strain still an issue? It might be time to see a professional. While scheduling an annual eye exam comes highly recommended, seeking out further eye care when problems arise can help. The exam may even detect a more serious underlying issue before it becomes worse.
Summary
There are ways of avoiding eye strain when working from home. With how we work and play nowadays, our eyes could use all the help they can get. That’s where Mississippi Eye Care specializes. See how we can help your eyes stay as healthy as can be at one of our eight locations! For more helpful eye care tips, check out our blog!
