These days many of us find ourselves staring into screens for several hours each day. This isn’t just happening at the office. You can walk into any coffee shop and see just about everyone staring into his or her laptop or smartphone. On top of that, you may be spending a good part of your evening browsing social media or staring into a computer or TV screen to watch your favorite shows.
All of this screen time takes a toll on your eyes and has resulted in a condition known as “computer vision syndrome.” This syndrome refers to a whole range of eye strain and pain issues that result from long hours of screen exposure.
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to minimize eye discomfort and damage from screen use. Here are some good ideas you can use to protect your eyes:
1. Wear Gunnar glasses (or other brands like this) while using your computer. Gunnar glasses have lens tints and filters that block the harsh blue light that is emitted from your screen. I just went to their website and it turns out they are on sale for Labor Day. If you wanted to try them out, now is the time. Here is the website: Gunnar.com.
2. Install F.lux software onto your device. F.lux is free software that will adjust the display’s color according to the time of day, so that your eyes can rest and be more in tune with the natural light cycle of the day or indoor lighting. You can download F.lux software here: https://justgetflux.com/
3. On the less techie side of things, you should always remember to blink. When we stare at screens for an extended amount of time, we often forget to blink. This dries out your eyes and damages them over time. (I just blinked twice while writing that.)
4. The 20-20 rule: After 20 minutes of screen time, take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away. This will keep your eye muscles in good condition. Staring at a fixed length over an extended period of time weakens your eye muscles.
5. Personally, I take a targeted supplement for eye health that contains lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients are extremely beneficial for your eyes. I have noticed a positive difference since I started taking them. I don’t wear glasses or contacts and would like to keep it that way. My personal favorite is Macular Support Formula by Pure Encapsulations.
You can also get lutein and zeaxanthin from foods. Cooked dark leafy greens like kale, swiss chard and collard greens are rich in lutein. Organic, pasture-raised, egg yokes are also a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, however cooking the eggs diminishes the benefits, so I recommend cooking them as lightly as possible.
6. Finally, Meditation is fantastic for your health and that includes your eyes. If you haven’t taken my online Meditation for Weight Loss and Wellness program yet, you are missing out! The next session begins on Tuesday, Sept 25. Click here to learn more and register. It is good for your eyes and every other part of you as well!