If your eyes feel dry and tired, or your vision is blurry at the end of the day, you may be dealing with eyestrain. We’re looking at our digital devices all day, between work and home, so it’s no wonder all this screen time is affecting our eyes. There are several things you can do to reduce or prevent eyestrain when using your smartphone, computer or tablet or watching television.

Relieve dry eyes

• Treat dry eyes with artificial tears. These ensure your eyes are well-lubricated and prevent dry eye syndrome. Your doctor can recommend eyedrops that are ideal for your eyes.
• Reduce dry moving air by putting a humidifier in the room where you use your devices.
• If you smoke, try to quit. Being around smoke can dry your eyes and make eyestrain even worse.

Give your eyes a break

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a break and look at an object that’s at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Take longer breaks if you plan on spending hours on your devices.
• If you wear contacts daily, you can give your eyes a break by wearing your glasses.

Adjust your settings

• Make sure your computer screen is an arm’s length or about 25 inches away from your face and just below eye level. Adjusting the contrast and brightness settings to your comfort can help as well.
• Enlarge the text on the screen so it’s easier to read.
• Lightning needs to be adjusted depending on what device you’re using and how you’re using it. The device should not be brighter than the surroundings. When watching TV, keep your room softly lit. When you’re reading, position the light source behind you so it’s directly in front of you.

See your eye doctor

• There are glasses and contact lenses designed specifically for computer work. If your vision has changed, you may need a new prescription. And regular eye exams help to diagnose eye conditions and diseases at earlier stages when they are most treatable.

Taking these steps will help you reduce some of the aches and pains associated with screen time. To schedule an eye exam with Dr. Jeffrey Maehara at Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser, call 808.955.3937 today.