From The Straits Times    |

Let’s admit it, we use our computers more than ever in this digital age. Not taking our eyes off the computer has copious negative effects on our eyes, such as strained eyes, blurred vision and headaches. Luckily, there are ways to counteract all that monitor staring.

Read on for the best 6 habits to reduce the stress on your peepers:

1. Take frequent breaks

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Try the 20-20-20 rule, which means every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds. This easy-to-remember rule was developed by Jeffrey Anshel, an optometrist who runs a firm that works with companies to minimise computer-related eye problems for their employees. If there’s not much space in office, just look at the furthest point away from you – or out of the window. In any case, it’s always good to regularly move your eyes away from the screen.

2. Adjust your screen brightness and warmth

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Make sure your screen is not too bright or dim, as both extremes will strain your eyes. You can also use a software called F.lux to automatically adjust the colour temperature of your screen according to the time of the day. It uses warmer colours at night than during the day, making white colours appear a little more reddish. This helps you get used to your screen brightness in comparison to the change in lighting throughout the day.

3. Blink frequently

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We tend to blink less often when we’re concentrating and staring at our screen, resulting in dry and irritated eyes. And the air conditioning in the office doesn’t help either. Make it a point to blink more frequently to produce tears to moisten and refresh your eyes.

4. Eye massage

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An easy way to release some tension from your eye area is to do a quick self-massage. Pressure points include the eye socket bones, under the brow bone and the temples.

Watch this video to see how to get rid of dark circles and eye-bags instantly.

5. Adjust your screen position

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For all the time we’re engrossed in using the computer, we tend to unknowingly crane our necks and have our eyes close to the screen. This is not just bad for our eyesight – in the long run, the pressure on our neck will cause aches and headaches. Remember to place your screen at least 30cm away and a little below eye level, so you’re looking down instead of stretching your neck to look up.

6. Computer glasses

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Guess what? There are spectacles designed to combat eye strain, because our naked eyes are not designed to stare at artificial blue light from the computer. Gunnar has a patented computer lens technology that aids natural focusing to provide sharper, clearer vision so there’s less strain on your eye muscles.