Working from home eye advice
If you work from home a lot, whether that’s in your home office or kitchen table, you’re probably spending more time in front of a screen.
From board meetings to water cooler conversations, our daily catchups are now taking place via video links. With such working habits, it’s important that you consider what impact that’s having on your eyes & how you can take care of them. Find out more about how to keep your eyes healthy through diet, habits & more.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule
Looking at the faces & expressions of colleagues on a screen (or those of a family member or friend who you're now keeping in touch with digitally) probably means we’re now focusing at a much closer range than we’re used to. So, it’s important to take regular breaks & allow our eyes to relax.
The 20-20-20 rule can help relax your eyes. Start by looking at something 20 feet away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes – that will help give your eye muscles a break. Keep paper documents at the same range as your screen too (no closer than 40cm to your eyes). If you can manage to do this comfortably a little further away, that will help to reduce eye strain too.
Be mindful of glare
The glare from our screens & the lighting in our new home offices can affect eye health. Lighting should be set at a level that allows paper documents & screens to be easily read. You can also use an anti-glare screen on your monitor if you have one. If you don’t, try to close the blinds or curtains on any windows reflected on your screen. You can also adjust your screen brightness to help reduce eye fatigue.
Blink regularly
Blinking regularly helps to keep your eyes lubricated, so if you do find you’re struggling with dry eyes, lubricating drops can help to relieve discomfort.
Book an eye test at least every two years
Regular eye tests are important, especially if you are experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain. If your prescription has changed over time & you haven’t had an eye test, your vision can strain your eyes even more. Even with a mild prescription, wearing the correct glasses or contact lenses will make a huge difference to how your eyes feel throughout the day. There are also anti-reflection coating options to have on your glasses that you can discuss with your optician.
Consider blue light lenses
While there’s no evidence to suggest blue light can cause eye strain, this doesn’t mean your devices aren’t a contributing factor to tired, dry eyes. You can consider purchasing a prescription set of glasses solely for use when on the computer. Find out more about the blue light products that are available at Boots Opticians & whether they would be beneficial to you. You might also be interested in exploring what lenses are suitable for your lifestyle.
