One of the biggest causes of eye strain and fatigue is prolonged electronic use, including working at a computer. This can be a problem, particularly for professionals who spend long hours staring at a screen while performing their job at their computer. Not to mention, many people spend time looking at their personal devices outside of working hours, which only adds to our daily screen time.
Looking at screens for too long, particularly computer screens, can cause something known as computer vision syndrome (CVS). This condition refers to a cluster of symptoms caused by computer use, which include things like eye strain, eye fatigue, blurry vision, headaches, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.
But why does this happen? Well, when we use computers, we use our eyes a bit differently than normal to adjust to the computer screen. We may read and write on computers from a far distance, and the text may not be as sharp as it would be on a printed page. Also, computers tend to have glare and reflections that make it difficult to see our screens. All of this together puts our eyes into overdrive, resulting in computer eye strain (1).
The good news is that eye strain is both preventable and treatable when you implement the right methods. Here are our favorite ways to minimize the impact of computer vision syndrome:
1. Utilize the 20-20-20 method. This strategy involves you looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. In doing so, you give your eyes a break and allow them to refocus on something further away.
2. Take breaks. One of the best ways to prevent eye strain throughout your workday at the computer is to take a step away from the screen. We recommend taking a 15-minute break every two hours to give your eyes a rest. It is important to remember that these breaks should be screen-free, which means avoiding using other devices like your personal phone or tablet. Instead, maybe take a quick walk, prepare a meal, or do some small chores around the house.
3. Have an ergonomic work setup. If you are someone who works from home, it is always a good idea to invest in an ergonomic workstation. Doing so can minimize eye strain while also preventing neck and shoulder pain.
4. Optimize your screen. Ensure that your screen brightness matches the brightness of your environment, aiming for a contrast of between 60 and 70 percent. Additionally, limit glare and reflections, and increase your font size to make screen viewing easier on the eyes.
5. Correct your vision. Any underlying vision issues that are untreated can make eye strain worse. It is always a good idea to consult an eyecare professional to diagnose and treat eye conditions. For some people, prescription glasses and contact lenses can allow them to see more clearly and reduce CVS symptoms.
6. Use artificial tears. A common sign of CVS is dry eye, where your eyes can get irritated, itchy, or red after looking at a computer screen. This happens because we tend to blink less when looking at digital devices, so our eyes don’t remain well-lubricated. If you experience this symptom, opt for some over-the-counter eye drops (2).
7. Eat a healthy diet. Believe it or not, the food you eat can impact your eye health. Reach for foods that are rich in zinc and vitamins A, C, D, and E, which are eye-healthy nutrients, to help prevent computer eye strain symptoms.
8. Take an eye vitamin gummy. If you feel like you aren’t able to get all the vitamins and minerals you need for eye health into your daily diet, you may want to integrate a supplement into your routine. Several supplements are specifically formulated with nutrients that can support your vision.
There certainly are supplements that can support your eyes during the long working hours you spend staring at a screen. For example, the [Eye Mazing Everyday Eye Vitamin from Zen Nutrients] is one eye vitamin gummy that can be particularly helpful in preventing CVS. It is packed with a surplus of nutrients that can prevent eye strain, including:
1. Lutemax 2020. Lutemax 2020 consists of both lutein and zeaxanthin. These are two antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress and filter blue light to the retina. As such, Lutemax effectively prevents against blue light damage and can minimize eye strain. These two ingredients can also be helpful in improving sleep quality, decreasing eye fatigue, and improving brain health and cognition (3).
2. Eyemuse. Eye Mazing also contains Eyemuse, which refers to a probiotic strain known as L. paracasei. L. paracasei activates immune cells, allowing them to produce an important cytokine known as IL-10. IL-10 modulates an immune response that helps to minimize digital stress-related eye fatigue. In clinical studies in humans, Eyemuse effectively minimized eye fatigue symptoms like ocular discomfort and waist and shoulder stiffness (4).
3. Myopia control proprietary blend. This unique formulation blends citicoline and crocetin that could further protect against eye strain and potential vision issues. For example, citicoline was shown to delay the progression of myopia in animal models (5).
4. Other vitamins and nutrients. As if that wasn’t enough, Eye Mazing also contains zinc and vitamins A, C, D, and E, so that your body can get all the nutrients it needs to support healthy vision.
If you’re interested in resolving computer eye strain, you’re likely going to want to opt for an eye vitamin gummy like Eye Mazing. You can find Eye Mazing for purchase on Zen Nutrients website.
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome?sso=y
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24802-computer-vision-syndrome
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