Eye care tips for screen users

Each of us spends an average of eight hours and 41 minutes a day on digital devices* so it’s probably no surprise that 90 per cent of computer users say they suffer from screen fatigue– headaches, sore or tired eyes and problems with close-up and long-distance vision. The organisers of National Eye Health Week which runs until Sunday, have produced these helpful tips.

Here are our quick tips to help minimise screen fatigue:

• If you have been prescribed eyewear for screen (VDU) use, make sure you wear it.
• Take frequent breaks – give your eyes a rest by following the 20-20-20 rule. Look away from your screen every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds and focus on objects 20 feet away!
• Create an eye-friendly environment – position copy documents at roughly the same distance as your eyes are from the screen to avoid having to continually refocus, and minimise any glare or reflections.
• Customise your screen settings – position your monitor an arms length away and keep your eyes level with the top of the screen. Select a font size of 12pts or above and make sure you have a clean screen.
• Keep blinking! Your blink rate can fall by up to 60 per cent when working at a screen.
• For an instant refresh try closing your eyes and rolling your eyeball around behind the closed lid.
• And finally, make sure you have regular sight tests – once every two years unless your optometrist advises otherwise.

* source: Office for National Statistics