When you have a job that involves working in an indoor environment, the lighting in your office space can have a powerful effect on your health and productivity. Many modern offices use fluorescent lighting. While this lighting can be inexpensive, it often is unpleasant to work in and can even cause headaches and fatigue in workers over time. Such an environment can also trigger symptoms for people who have chronic headaches.
Here are some tips that can help you decrease eye fatigue, protect your eyes and create a better working environment.
1. Get an eye exam. This is necessary annually. Tell your optometrist how much you use a computer, both at work and at home.
2. Use good lighting. If possible, stop using overhead fluorescent lights in your office. Instead use floor lamps that provide indirect incandescent or halogen lighting.
3. Check your computer display settings. Make sure your monitor is bright enough and the text is large enough and has enough contrast to read comfortably.
4. Blink and use eye drops. Frequent blinking is good for your eyes to moisten them and prevent irritation. Eye drops can also help to prevent dryness.
5. Take breaks. Take breaks away from your computer throughout the day, getting up and moving, and also mixing in other activities that do not require you to be at your computer.
6. Use tinted lenses. Request customized computer lenses to use when you are working with computers. They offer a larger area in the intermediate zone for progressive lenses. Special coatings and tints are available for use with computer screens. Wearing glasses may also increase eye comfort compared to contact lenses that can become very dry and uncomfortable after several hours.
Keeping your eyes healthy and eye strain treatment is essential for your health. At The Neuro Visual Center of New York, we help our patients with computer vision syndrome and many other vision disorders. Call us at (516) 224-4888 to find out how we can help you.
