Whether
or not you wear corrective lenses, it's important to protect your eyes from the
effects of looking at a computer screen for several hours.
Current
research shows that many of us spend 10 or more hours a day looking at TVs,
computers, tablets and phone screens — a practice that can impact eye health.
But don’t fret: Dr. Karen Gebhardt, an optometrist ,
has tips that can help:
Follow
the 20-20-20 rule. After every 20 minutes of screen time, look about 20
feet in the distance for at least 20 seconds. This encourages you to blink
(something you do less frequently when focused on a screen) to fight dry eye
and flexes your eye muscles, which need a break from constant near-field
focusing.
Hydrate
and eat omega-3s. Drink at least 8 ounces of water eight times a day to
help keep your eyes hydrated. And omega-3 fatty acids, which you can get
through supplements or in fish like salmon, preserve the tear film in your
eyes. Aim for about 2,000 mg a day.
Consider
blue-light blockers. The blue light emitted from screens may eventually
cause eye problems. If you’re in front of a screen much of the day and wear
glasses, ask your optometrist about lenses that block blue light.
Ask
for anti-reflective coating. Glare from screens can bounce around in
regular lenses in glasses, making it worse. Anti-reflective lenses keep that
from happening, so you’ll see more clearly and crisply.
Reconsider
your contacts. There are now extra-hydrating contact
lens options available, which is a bonus regardless of whether or not
you’re looking at a screen.
One
to try: Bausch+Lomb ULTRA. Get ready to say “Bye-bye!” to
dry. Special MoistureSeal® technology helps prevent lens dryness. Plus, lenses
retain moisture for 16 hours and provide superior end-of-day vision for digital
device users.
Note: This
information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional
medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have questions about your health
or diet, please talk to your doctor.