Computers play a huge role in many businesses nowadays. They opened new opportunities for companies to communicate more effectively with customers and employees. They also helped make it easier to accomplish various business processes.
Many workers interact with computers daily. Because of this, the demand for the eyes has changed.
Eye Strain
In 2018, a study showed that the average office worker is spending around 1,700 hours in front of a computer screen per year. Add to that the time spent using phones or other digital devices, and the eyes may be overworking.
The increase in screen time can lead to eye strain and other potential issues. Here are some of them:
- Dry eyes
- Eye fatigue
- Irritated eyes
- Loss of focus flexibility
- Nearsightedness
- Retinal damage
What You Can Do
Creating a good habit can help protect your vision. Here are some simple steps that may help:
- Create an eye-friendly workspace.
- Make sure the top of the computer screen is at or slightly below your eye level. Avoid placing it in a way that makes you look up because it could lead to more exposure that causes dryness.
- Check the screen brightness and contrast. Find a setting that is most comfortable for you.
- Prevent air from fan or vents to blow directly in your direction. Direct air can dry out the eyes even more.
- Prevent glare on your screen. Check the lighting in your area and adjust the settings or the position of the screen.
- Adopt healthy habits.
- Try to blink every 20 minutes. Force your eyes to do so, if necessary. Then, look away for a few seconds.
- Wear glasses to protect your vision, if necessary. Check if you need corrective lenses or reading glasses when working. Ask your eye doctor if blue light non-prescription glasses can help.
- Wear sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat when going outside.
- Develop a bedtime routine that does not include screens, such as phone or tablet use. For instance, you can stop using gadgets an hour before going to bed.
- Ensure eye health.
- Visit an eye doctor regularly. Schedule a regular eye exam to see if there are any changes to your vision.
- Wear prescription lenses if needed. Keep them clean using a soft cloth. Having spots or scratches on the lens of your eyeglasses can cause eye strain too.
- Use eye drops if your eyes are too dry.
Vision Care
Sight is one of the most used senses. However, a lot of people tend to neglect it and forget about eye health. Having healthy eyes will not only help ensure a better quality of life. It can also improve work performance.
Getting a vision insurance policy can also help. While it may seem like an additional expense, having one with the right coverage will be worth it in the long run.
If you need help finding the best coverage to protect your vision or want to learn more about vision insurance, contact us at National Insurance Partners.