Publish: 11:56, 13 Jan, 2025

Effective tips for reducing eye strain

Online Desk
Effective tips for reducing eye strain
Photo - Collected

Eye discomfort and fatigue have become increasingly common in today's digital age, with prolonged screen time and close-up tasks often to blame. 

Although not a medical diagnosis, the term "eye strain" refers to discomfort or temporary vision difficulties caused by intense, sustained focus, reports Harvard Health Publishing. 

What causes eye strain?

Activities requiring prolonged focus, such as reading, driving, or working on digital devices, can lead to symptoms associated with eye strain. Factors like dim lighting, glare, or dry environments exacerbate the issue. When screen use is involved, the condition is referred to as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome, often caused by reduced blinking while looking at electronic devices.

Common triggers include extensive use of computers, smartphones, or televisions, as well as reading small print or engaging in detailed crafts. Environmental conditions such as glare, low light, or air blowing into the eyes, and poor posture or incorrect prescriptions, can also contribute to eye discomfort.

Symptoms of eye strain

Eye strain symptoms can range from mild to disruptive. Many people experience dry or watery eyes, blurred vision, or difficulty focusing after long periods of close work. Other symptoms include soreness, itching, or burning sensations in the eyes, sensitivity to light, and headaches centered behind the eyes.

In some cases, discomfort extends to physical issues such as back, neck, or shoulder pain caused by poor posture while compensating for tired or strained eyes. These symptoms, while uncomfortable, typically do not lead to permanent damage, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

Tips to reduce eye strain

Mitigating eye strain involves a combination of breaks, proper workspace adjustments, and eye care practices.

Take regular breaks

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Additionally, it's essential to take breaks after two hours of continuous screen use or driving to give your eyes time to rest.

Keep eyes moist

Blink consciously while using digital devices to counteract the natural tendency to blink less. Artificial tears can also help prevent dryness. For extended screen sessions, consider wearing glasses instead of contact lenses, which can exacerbate dryness.

Create an eye-friendly workspace

Proper workspace adjustments can significantly reduce eye strain. Position screens 20-26 inches from your face, with the top of the screen slightly below eye level. Reduce glare by using matte screen filters or positioning screens away from windows. Ensure that screen brightness and room lighting are at similar levels to avoid unnecessary strain.

Maintaining clean screens and eyeglasses can also improve clarity and reduce strain. Polarized sunglasses are particularly useful for reducing glare while driving.

Eye strain and blue light glasses

While blue light glasses are often marketed as a solution for digital eye strain, the AAO advises against them. There is insufficient evidence linking blue light from devices to eye strain. Instead, following practical measures like regular breaks and ergonomic adjustments remains the most effective approach.

For persistent or severe discomfort, consulting an eye care professional is advised to rule out underlying conditions and ensure proper eye health.

Bd-Pratidin English/ARK

More News
Elizabeth Strout, Miranda July shortlisted for Women's Prize for Fiction
Elizabeth Strout, Miranda July shortlisted for Women's Prize for Fiction
Shingles Vaccine may help reduce dementia risk, new study finds
Shingles Vaccine may help reduce dementia risk, new study finds
5 tasty add-ins to make watermelon even healthier
5 tasty add-ins to make watermelon even healthier
6 natural kitchen remedies to relieve sunburn fast
6 natural kitchen remedies to relieve sunburn fast
Chemicals found in everyday products may affect newborns’ brain development: study
Chemicals found in everyday products may affect newborns’ brain development: study
Tiniest pacemaker is smaller than grain of rice
Tiniest pacemaker is smaller than grain of rice
Feeling anxious? Doctor reveals surprising treat
Feeling anxious? Doctor reveals surprising treat
Raw papaya: Secret superfood for digestion, immunity, and weight loss
Raw papaya: Secret superfood for digestion, immunity, and weight loss
9 signs of stress affecting your health and diet tips to cope
9 signs of stress affecting your health and diet tips to cope
Warning signs of heart disease in women
Warning signs of heart disease in women
4 traditional sweets to sweeten your Eid celebration
4 traditional sweets to sweeten your Eid celebration
Scientists observe memory formation in babies' brains in real time
Scientists observe memory formation in babies' brains in real time
Latest News
Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies
Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies
1 second ago | Entertainment
Mild to moderate heat wave sweeps over many districts
Mild to moderate heat wave sweeps over many districts
30 minutes ago | National
Hasina’s extradition, border, water issues featured in Dr Yunus-Modi first-ever talks
Hasina’s extradition, border, water issues featured in Dr Yunus-Modi first-ever talks
40 minutes ago | National
Bangladesh set for relentless cricket calendar through early 2027
Bangladesh set for relentless cricket calendar through early 2027
58 minutes ago | Sports
Israel kills at least 112 Palestinians in past 24 hours
Israel kills at least 112 Palestinians in past 24 hours
58 minutes ago | International
Japan PM Ishiba says Trump tariffs 'national crisis'
Japan PM Ishiba says Trump tariffs 'national crisis'
1 hour ago | Business
CA seeks humanitarian channel in Rakhine to stop further displacement
CA seeks humanitarian channel in Rakhine to stop further displacement
2 hours ago | National
Country’s export sector in deep crisis amid 37% US tariff
Country’s export sector in deep crisis amid 37% US tariff
2 hours ago | Business
Bangladesh to chair BIMSTEC for 2 years
Bangladesh to chair BIMSTEC for 2 years
3 hours ago | National
CA joins breakfast meeting on BIMSTEC sidelines
CA joins breakfast meeting on BIMSTEC sidelines
4 hours ago | National
Holding polls at earliest possible time top priority: CA
Holding polls at earliest possible time top priority: CA
4 hours ago | National
Trump says TikTok deal ‘very close’ as US ban deadline nears
Trump says TikTok deal ‘very close’ as US ban deadline nears
4 hours ago | Tech
Deadly fire on Gaza ambulances possible Israeli 'war crimes': UN official
Deadly fire on Gaza ambulances possible Israeli 'war crimes': UN official
4 hours ago | International
Zambia’s US-based players withdrawn from China tournament over travel rules
Zambia’s US-based players withdrawn from China tournament over travel rules
4 hours ago | Sports
Dhaka weather to stay consistent until noon
Dhaka weather to stay consistent until noon
5 hours ago | City
White House releases AFTP report, signaling major shift in US trade policy
White House releases AFTP report, signaling major shift in US trade policy
5 hours ago | Business
South Korea's Constitutional Court ousts impeached President Yoon
South Korea's Constitutional Court ousts impeached President Yoon
5 hours ago | International
Dhaka's air 'unhealthy' today
Dhaka's air 'unhealthy' today
5 hours ago | City
Turkiye condemns Israel as greatest threat to regional peace
Turkiye condemns Israel as greatest threat to regional peace
5 hours ago | International
We are not underestimating other teams: Sarwar Imran
We are not underestimating other teams: Sarwar Imran
6 hours ago | Sports
Elizabeth Strout, Miranda July shortlisted for Women's Prize for Fiction
Elizabeth Strout, Miranda July shortlisted for Women's Prize for Fiction
15 hours ago | Lifestyle
Mymensingh youth who participated in Ukraine war for Russia dies
Mymensingh youth who participated in Ukraine war for Russia dies
16 hours ago | National
CA to hold bilateral talks with Modi, other BIMSTEC leaders tomorrow
CA to hold bilateral talks with Modi, other BIMSTEC leaders tomorrow
16 hours ago | National
Mohsin Naqvi elected chairman of the ACC
Mohsin Naqvi elected chairman of the ACC
17 hours ago | Sports
Rescue team led by Bangladesh Army continues its operation in Myanmar
Rescue team led by Bangladesh Army continues its operation in Myanmar
17 hours ago | National
Tariff issue to be resolved through talks with US: CA
Tariff issue to be resolved through talks with US: CA
17 hours ago | National
Interim government can't be failed: Tuku
Interim government can't be failed: Tuku
18 hours ago | National
Thai ministers meet CA on BIMSTEC sidelines
Thai ministers meet CA on BIMSTEC sidelines
18 hours ago | National
‘Evidence of conspiracy to thwart July-August trial found’
‘Evidence of conspiracy to thwart July-August trial found’
18 hours ago | National
Trump uses wrong allegations to justify tariff hikes on Bangladesh
Trump uses wrong allegations to justify tariff hikes on Bangladesh
18 hours ago | Business
Most Read
Bangladesh move up in FIFA rankings after draw against India
Bangladesh move up in FIFA rankings after draw against India
21 hours ago | Sports
SpaceX astronaut shows Antarctica's 'pure white' from polar orbit
SpaceX astronaut shows Antarctica's 'pure white' from polar orbit
23 hours ago | Tech
Anti-discrimination Movement’s former coordinator Tanifa killed in road accident
Anti-discrimination Movement’s former coordinator Tanifa killed in road accident
21 hours ago | City
Vikrant Massey turns a year older,’12th Fail’ proves he’s National Award-worthy!
Vikrant Massey turns a year older,’12th Fail’ proves he’s National Award-worthy!
23 hours ago | Entertainment
CA urges youths to build themselves as three-zero persons
CA urges youths to build themselves as three-zero persons
21 hours ago | National
Farooki explains ‘independence 2.0’
Farooki explains ‘independence 2.0’
22 hours ago | National
Dhaka's air 'unhealthy' today
Dhaka's air 'unhealthy' today
5 hours ago | City
Mymensingh youth who participated in Ukraine war for Russia dies
Mymensingh youth who participated in Ukraine war for Russia dies
16 hours ago | National
Turkiye condemns Israel as greatest threat to regional peace
Turkiye condemns Israel as greatest threat to regional peace
6 hours ago | International
Syria local govt says Israeli bombardment kills 9
Syria local govt says Israeli bombardment kills 9
23 hours ago | International
CA joins official dinner of BIMSTEC
CA joins official dinner of BIMSTEC
19 hours ago | National
Bangladesh imports 10,850MT more rice from India
Bangladesh imports 10,850MT more rice from India
22 hours ago | Business
‘Evidence of conspiracy to thwart July-August trial found’
‘Evidence of conspiracy to thwart July-August trial found’
18 hours ago | National
More players to follow Hamza’s path into Bangladesh football
More players to follow Hamza’s path into Bangladesh football
21 hours ago | Sports
Strict action to be taken to stop extortion in hills: Home Advisor
Strict action to be taken to stop extortion in hills: Home Advisor
20 hours ago | National
Trump uses wrong allegations to justify tariff hikes on Bangladesh
Trump uses wrong allegations to justify tariff hikes on Bangladesh
18 hours ago | Business
Rejuvenated IPL match-winner Siraj praised for 'fire in his belly'
Rejuvenated IPL match-winner Siraj praised for 'fire in his belly'
20 hours ago | Sports
Shingles Vaccine may help reduce dementia risk, new study finds
Shingles Vaccine may help reduce dementia risk, new study finds
23 hours ago | Lifestyle
Gold price declines after hitting all-time high on Trump tariffs
Gold price declines after hitting all-time high on Trump tariffs
18 hours ago | Business
Touhid for result-oriented BIMSTEC FTA
Touhid for result-oriented BIMSTEC FTA
22 hours ago | National
Kagiso Rabada leaves Gujarat Titans squad for personal reasons
Kagiso Rabada leaves Gujarat Titans squad for personal reasons
18 hours ago | Sports
CA to hold bilateral talks with Modi, other BIMSTEC leaders tomorrow
CA to hold bilateral talks with Modi, other BIMSTEC leaders tomorrow
16 hours ago | National
Top Russian official in Washington for talks on improving ties
Top Russian official in Washington for talks on improving ties
20 hours ago | International
Over 100,000 child deaths, 63,000 stillbirths annually in Bangladesh
Over 100,000 child deaths, 63,000 stillbirths annually in Bangladesh
19 hours ago | National
Hasina’s extradition, border, water issues featured in Dr Yunus-Modi first-ever talks
Hasina’s extradition, border, water issues featured in Dr Yunus-Modi first-ever talks
45 minutes ago | National
BIMSTEC Secretary General calls on Touhid
BIMSTEC Secretary General calls on Touhid
19 hours ago | National
Musk could be headed for a Washington exit after turbulent times at DOGE
Musk could be headed for a Washington exit after turbulent times at DOGE
22 hours ago | International
Rescue team led by Bangladesh Army continues its operation in Myanmar
Rescue team led by Bangladesh Army continues its operation in Myanmar
17 hours ago | National
Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia
Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia
21 hours ago | International
Russia, Cuba, North Korea escape Trump's tariff
Russia, Cuba, North Korea escape Trump's tariff
19 hours ago | International