Ergonomic Common Concerns: Eye Strain (via Noom)

Eye Strain

1. We stare at a screen a LOT! Your eyes can become tired and based on certain factors, this can lead to headaches or even that scary M-word (migraines). You have 6 muscles controlling the movement of each eye. Those muscles are small, and you have two even smaller muscles controlling your pupils (that’s 16 mini muscles controlling both of your eyes). Just like other muscles, these also need a break!

   1. Follow the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, try to take 20 seconds to look at something at least 20 feet away. That allows your eye muscles to relax.

   2. Additionally, making sure the lighting around your workspace is appropriate. This means that you don’t have bright lights behind you (causing glare), or behind your monitor shining into your eyes. When you’ve got multiple light sources entering your eye, your pupils will be constantly adjusting to the light sources.

   3. Blue light blockers may help if you’ve been trying these suggestions and they’re not working for you. (prices vary from $10+).

   4. There are many tools available to help with eye strain, here are a few:

      1. Flux adapts the color of your screen to the time of day.

      2. Use a break app or extension to remind you to take breaks and look away from the screen.

      3. Pangobright is a free utility for Windows that dims the light on your screen according to your preference.

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