How to protect your posture and your eyesight from your screen.
By Robert Fucigna, MD
It seems like only yesterday we were running from our offices to the Bright Lights of Broadway, without missing a beat! And now it seems like the only bright lights we see are from our computer screens. And they might seem a bit hazy! Our new stay-at-home vision, may have several causes, from the medically swollen lids to the physically “slouch in the couch” positioning. Let’s make it simple.
Sit up straight! Yes, mother knows best! It seems that some of the weary eye problems are from simply not positioning ourselves well. Let’s start with the lighting, which should come from our sides or behind our monitors. Ideally, window light should come perpendicular or 90 degrees away from the monitor, which reduces glare, especially if a high gloss finish is on the monitor (i.e. Apple iPads).
Next, we really need to get off the couch, find a comfortable chair, breath in, breath out, and be mindful of the monitor height. Arm’s length is the best distance, unless you are T-Rex, then its 28-inches away from your face, to see well. A desk top monitor, may be easiest to fix, but what about the ubiquitous LAPTOP? A cost-effective solution is a Bluetooth keyboard! Set the additional keyboard on the kitchen table, and the opened laptop on several books to elevate its height, look straight at that zoom screen and smile (plus no one will see the cob webs on the ceiling behind you).
But what about those swollen, dry, tired lids? Medically, they may be dry from lack of a solid tear film, and decreased blinking, both are easy to address. First, let’s blink more! Naturally, we don’t blink as frequently on the computer and a borderline dry eye may just need over the counter artificial tears and or a supplement of Flax seed capsules daily. Your eye doctor may have additional tricks to help this including better eyeglasses.
We have found great success when we reach a certain age and get some help with reading glasses, also over the counter, but it may not be enough in a Stay at Home World. Ask for a computer glass, or mono vision with your contact lens as an added bonus. Computer glasses are progressive (not politically speaking) eyeglasses with two focal points, one at the computer monitor, and one to read documents. It involves a visit to the eye doctor – at least you can get out of the house and have a careful evaluation of that computer placement. While there, you may benefit from a comprehensive look at the lids.
Our eyelids contain signs of inflammation, not limited to dry eyes but allergies too. Again, OTC allergy drops help a lot but sometimes we need something stronger, not a quarantini, but maybe a new script. We talk about the allergy of the month club, and some people get them all year long – this too may benefit from a visit to your favored eye doctor.
How are your bright stars doing at home? Are the kids getting this too? Well yes, more and more with at home learning, and home schooling, and home gaming. At least they no longer miss the bus in the morning! But they must be getting tired too. More tips for the kids next week.
Wash your hands and Wear a Mask!
