We spend most of our time in front of the computer and this can cause severe strain on our eyes. Problems caused due to computer related eye stress include red eyes, tired eyes, temporary blurred vision and eye twitching. These are just the minor problems you may face, and then there are the major ones which include myopia and presbyopia. Let us look at a few tips to ease this strain caused due to computers.

Comprehensive eye examination

[caption id="attachment_3240" align="alignnone" width="720"] A routine eye examination will alert you of possible eye damage[/caption]

A comprehensive eye examination with an eye care professional is a must for all those who spend long working hours at the computer. You will be asked to provide information about your working ambience and number of average hours that you spend at the computer.

Computer eye wear

[caption id="attachment_3242" align="alignnone" width="370"] Special eye wear for computer users can help[/caption]

Like reading glasses, your doctor will prescribe eye wear to use while sitting in front of your computer. This is usually necessary for those who do office jobs involving eight hours a day of computer work.

Blinking voluntarily

[caption id="attachment_3243" align="alignnone" width="720"] Staring at the computer for long hours without blinking is bad[/caption]

When you spend long hours staring at a computer screen, you tend to involuntarily blink less and this causes dryness in your eyes. This dryness is especially bad for your eyes so you should make it a point to voluntarily blink every time you feel your eyes drying out.

Lubricants and artificial tears

[caption id="attachment_3241" align="alignnone" width="425"] Artificial tears will reduce dryness[/caption]

Doctors and eye care professionals may sometimes prescribe lubricants to prevent extreme eye dryness.

Frequent breaks

[caption id="attachment_3244" align="alignnone" width="225"] Take breaks from your work and de-stress[/caption]

Make it a point to take a break from constant staring at your screen. Take a walk or talk to your colleagues. Do not cause strain to your eyes by continuously staring.

Eye exercises

[caption id="attachment_3245" align="alignnone" width="500"] There are several eye exercises for computer users[/caption]

Sometimes your eye muscles need to be exercised because constant staring at a screen in one direction can cause your eyes muscles to feel strain.  Exercising the eye will help to avoid such muscle fatigue. These include looking up and down, sideways about 10 times each, looking at the farthest object that you are able to visualise from your seat for 10 seconds and gazing at your finger placed 30 centimetres from your eyes for another 10 seconds. This helps in your focussing ability at variable distances.