Whether you work in an office or at home, you are probably spending a lot of time staring at computer screens. And, it may be wreaking havoc on your eyes, causing inflammation and dry eyes.
According to Neilsen, the average person consumes five times more information every day than we did 50 years ago and spends nearly 12 hours a day in front of a smartphone, TV, and computer screen.
Researchers have found that our obsession with screens can significantly impact our eyesight, especially when doing activities that demand intense concentration.
Staring at computer screens during large portions of your day can cause eye strain and dry eyes, making it difficult to maintain productivity and complete daily tasks.
Fifty-nine percent of people who routinely use computers and digital devices experience symptoms of digital eye strain such as eye fatigue, eye discomfort, dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain, eye twitching, and red eyes, according to research collected by The Vision Council,
Why Does Staring at a Screen Cause Dry Eyes?
Our eyes need moisture to operate correctly. Every time we blink, our eyes release a film that soothes and coats our eyes. While the average person blinks every ten seconds, when we are using a tablet or computer, we blink less often, which causes our eyes to lack the moisture. This ultimately results in increased eye strain, burning sensations, and parched, red, irritated eyes.
It’s important to know that our tears aren’t just made up of water; they also contain oil and mucus, which help to maintain moisture. And staring at a computer or smartphone screen for an extended time reduces the amount of mucus and oils released.
Hydrated Your Body, Hydrate Your Eyes.
To ensure that the proper balance of minerals and oils are maintained, it’s essential to relieve your dry eye symptoms by hydrating from within.
And according to medical experts, it’s critical to maintain a proper electrolyte level or “osmotic gradient” between the tear film and ocular surfaces. Studies published by the Experimental Eye Research found an imbalance of electrolytes can cause many eye-related pathologies, including dry eye.
Most topical treatments offer temporary relief, but they are unable to replace the essential oils and mucus naturally created in the human body.
Hydrus is formulated to boost absorption and deliver electrolytes and nutrients to the body cells faster than other hydration drinks or and water. Hydrus is formulated with nanosome technology to boost absorption and relieve symptoms of dry eyes within minutes.
Nanosomes are tiny lipid-like molecules that are similar to the material found inside our body’s cells and help absorb electrolytes faster than other hydration drinks and water alone.
Improve Your Work Station
Excessive sunlight or lack of adequate lighting can also cause eye strain and irritation.
When using a computer the ambient lighting should be about half as bright compared to what is found in most offices and homes. That means you need to eliminate lighting sources by closing shades and blinds. You may want to consider replacing harsh light bulbs and fluorescent tubes with low intensity soft white light bulbs or LED lighting options.
Another simple way to adjust lighting is to place your computer so that the exterior windows are on the side, rather than in front or behind your computer.
You should also be sitting at distance of no more than 24 inches from your computer screen. The center of your screen should be between 10 to 15 degrees below your eyes for comfortable positioning of your head and neck. Your workstation and chair height should be adjusted so that your feet rest comfortably on the floor.
Gazing at an object at least twenty feet away every 20 minutes can help to relieve eye strain caused by prolonged screen time.The 20-20-20 Rule
Here are some simple exercises that can help relieve dry dry eyes while using your computer, AKA the 20-20-20 rule.
- Blink 10 times by closing your eyes very slowly every 20 minutes. This will help moisten your eyes.
- Look away from your computer screen every 20 minutes and gaze at an object that is at least 20 feet away.
And lastly, don’t forget to stretch your back, neck and shoulders. Try to take a 10 minute break every hour if possible. This will help reduce muscle tension and eye fatigue.
Take the Hydrus Challenge Now and learn how proper hydration helps to improve dry eyes and digital eye strain.