Digital screen detox and minimising eye strain

How you can minimise strain to your eyes as we continue to spend more time looking at screens.

According to Vision Express, anyone who works long hours in front of a computer, reads a lot, or spends a lot of time on their mobile phone knows about eye strain. This is especially true in our significantly changed times, as we continue to work from home and spend more time in front of screens.

Eye strain can be a nuisance and can interfere with your daily activities. However, if consistently neglected, eye strain can worsen and may require serious treatment. To clarify, eye strain is not categorised as a disease, but rather as a symptom.

Anyone who works as a writer, or other visually intensive career, may experience these symptoms more regularly depending on the nature of their job. Although a career change is unlikely, they can certainly take preventative measures to ensure they do not strain their eyes.

Here are some ways eye strain can be prevented, reduced, and sometimes even eliminated:

Give your eyes plenty of rest

There is nothing like closing your eyes and feeling that cooling sensation after a long, hectic day. Even though you may not be able to close your eyes for long, take a moment to close them for a few seconds when possible.

Use of computers and mobile phones

Our everyday life revolves around these two devices. Although you usually cannot stop using your computer, laptop or mobile phone, you can set your screen brightness to a more appropriate level for reading.

Take frequent breaks

Doing any task for a long time in one spot can be both visually and physically tiring. Get up and take a brief walk for a few minutes. You may also want to add in some stretches and practice eye exercises such as the 20–20–20 rule: after 20 minutes of nearby work, look at something about 20 feet away and focus on it for 20 seconds.