Do you work in front of a computer most of the day? Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time can take its toll on your eyes. The result can be redness, eye irritation and dry eyes. When you stare at a lighted computer screen, you may be so focused on the task at hand that you blink less frequently. Blinking the eyes provides the stimulus needed to keep the eyes moist and healthy. For this reason, it's hardly surprising that dry eyes and irritation are so common among computer users. If you experience this problem, there are ways to reduce your symptoms and make computer work more pleasant. Here's how to treat dry eyes:
Take Breaks for Rest Your Eyes
When you're working at your computer screen, stop every hour and take a two minute break. During this time, lie back in your chair and close your eyes. This will help to moisten and re-lubricate your eyes so they feel less dry and irritated. To treat dry eyes, do this on a regular basis until it becomes second nature. This simple practice can improve dry eye symptoms significantly.
Change Your Environment
Is your office environment unusually dry? The lack of humidity in your work environment can be a factor in producing dry eye symptoms. To treat dry eyes caused by a dry office, add a humidifier to your work environment. This is particularly helpful in the cold weather months when humidity levels drop.
Consider Your Medications
Certain medications such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications can contribute to dry eyes. Check with your doctor and see if your current medications may be playing a role in producing your dry eye symptoms.
Change Your Diet
One effective way to treat dry eyes is to increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids or fish oils in your diet. You can do this by eating more fatty fish such as salmon, eggs fortified with omega-3s, and walnuts. Another alternative is to take two grams of a fish oil supplement on a daily basis. There are also reports that flaxseed and flaxseed oil help to reduce dry eye symptoms.
Use Artificial Tears
Artificial tears which can be purchased at your local drugstore offer a quick and effective solution for treating dry eyes. They are safe and can be used when needed. Start by applying them four to five times a day and see how your symptoms respond. Avoid using over the counter eye drops that advertise that they “get the red out”. These drops may reduce redness but won't treat the dry eyes.
Computer work can be a lot more pleasant when you take steps to treat dry eyes. Why not use these suggestions to help you get back to work?
