Work, back to school, and eye strain
September is here, synonymous with back to school, and this is a sign that the holidays are well and truly over! Summer is ending, and autumn is just around the corner. We must adapt to the shorter days, and it is common for visual fatigue to appear. No more idleness, no more naps; the daily routine is back with long hours spent in front of digital devices and paperwork. Screens and close-up work can affect eyesight, but not only that; indeed, your vision can also be weakened after the summer if no precautions were taken against the sun (cap, sunglasses, etc.).
What are the visual discomforts when returning to work?
Eye strain and dry eyes are the most common conditions occurring after several hours in front of a computer.
Staring at a computer screen for a long time reduces blinking and thus tear production, leading to dry eyes, the sensation of sand in the eyes, etc.
Eye strain is generated by excessive effort of the eye muscles over a long period. We could compare this effort to a marathon, in which case we understand perfectly that we can be tired! Eye strain manifests as itchy eyes or burning sensations. Often, eyes become red, and vision blurs. In addition, headaches, neck pain, dizziness, etc., regularly occur.
Some tips to avoid eye strain
Here are some suggestions for better dealing with the return to work and visual fatigue:
- Place your screen at a correct distance, making sure it is at eye level.
- Do not hesitate to increase the font size; your eyes will exert less effort.
- Take a break without your phone, looking as far away as possible, and take the opportunity to drink coffee, tea, or do eye yoga.
- Blink regularly, hydrate your conjunctiva with saline solution to avoid dryness, and do not rub your eyes.
- Work in a bright place with natural light.
- Schedule an eye exam with your ophthalmologist; eye strain can be a sign of presbyopia.
- Wear anti-blue light glasses equipped with rest lenses for emmetropes or with the appropriate correction depending on your needs.
