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Computer-related eye-strain
Mr Ray
Sarcasm sphereRegistered User regular
Sarcasm sphereRegistered User regular
I have huge dark circles under my eyes, and they are frequently bloodshot. This has been the case for a while, but it has steadily been getting worse recently, with accompanying pain in the eyes. And looking like the G-man is really starting to bother me.
I'm pretty sure my problem is eye-strain. The symptoms all fit; I'm a professional programmer so I use the computer 8 hours a day at work, and quite often for another couple when I get home. I recently (about 3 months ago when I noticed things getting worse) got a much bigger monitor, which I probably sit far too close to. Its actually a 26" TV, so I might have to consider relegating it to only being used as such, and get a smaller monitor if that will help.
My eyesight is pretty bad, and I wear glasses all the time. I went to the opticians and was told my left eye has degraded a bit, which could account for some eyestrain.
I imagine this board is thick with both programmers, and people who use a computer excessively, so I'm hoping someone can offer some advice. Here's what I've tried so far:
- Excersize
Probably don't get enough since I moved 2 months ago and stopped going to the gym. fortunately they just finished installing a gym at my new place of work so yay!
- Sleep
Not sleeping particularly well either which can't help, but starting to get on top of that. Doesn't seem to help all that much even when I do get a good night's sleep though.
- Diet
Could be better, there's a lot of veggies I don't like, but I eat most of the eye-related ones (carrot, broccoli, spinach) anyway. Have been trying to just eat smaller quantities of everything lately in an effort to lose weight.
- Vitamins
Taking a mult-vitamin, and one specifically targetting eye function (omega 3 e.t.c). Also drinking fruit-juice to keep my vitamin intake up.
- Spoons!
Heard that keeping two spoons in the freezer and periodically pressing them against the bags under my eyes would reduce them. Hasn't done anything so far, the cooling feels good while I'm doing it though. Am considering upgrading to cucumber.
Is there anything else I can do?
I'm pretty sure my problem is eye-strain. The symptoms all fit; I'm a professional programmer so I use the computer 8 hours a day at work, and quite often for another couple when I get home. I recently (about 3 months ago when I noticed things getting worse) got a much bigger monitor, which I probably sit far too close to. Its actually a 26" TV, so I might have to consider relegating it to only being used as such, and get a smaller monitor if that will help.
My eyesight is pretty bad, and I wear glasses all the time. I went to the opticians and was told my left eye has degraded a bit, which could account for some eyestrain.
I imagine this board is thick with both programmers, and people who use a computer excessively, so I'm hoping someone can offer some advice. Here's what I've tried so far:
- Excersize
Probably don't get enough since I moved 2 months ago and stopped going to the gym. fortunately they just finished installing a gym at my new place of work so yay!
- Sleep
Not sleeping particularly well either which can't help, but starting to get on top of that. Doesn't seem to help all that much even when I do get a good night's sleep though.
- Diet
Could be better, there's a lot of veggies I don't like, but I eat most of the eye-related ones (carrot, broccoli, spinach) anyway. Have been trying to just eat smaller quantities of everything lately in an effort to lose weight.
- Vitamins
Taking a mult-vitamin, and one specifically targetting eye function (omega 3 e.t.c). Also drinking fruit-juice to keep my vitamin intake up.
- Spoons!
Heard that keeping two spoons in the freezer and periodically pressing them against the bags under my eyes would reduce them. Hasn't done anything so far, the cooling feels good while I'm doing it though. Am considering upgrading to cucumber.
Is there anything else I can do?
Mr Ray on
0
Posts
- Remember to blink. Sounds stupid, but staring at a computer screen often overcomes our natural need to blink often. If you find your eyes are dry because you're not blinking often enough, try some preservative free eyedrops (they come in single-use vials, super handy)
- Tape/post a photo or a short paragraph on your cube/wall a different distance away than your computer monitor. So if your monitor is 2 feet from your eyeballs, tape the thing 4-6 feet away. Now once an hour or so, look over at the thing and focus on the photo or read the text for a few moments. Changing the focal distance for your eyes is good exercise and is a huge relief for eye strain.
Also, you may want to see a doctor as there may be more going on than just you being tired from hours in front of a monitor - especially if you're sleeping poorly despite trying to get better rest.
Did you get any special coating on your glasses? I recently got new ones and they put on some kind of anti-glare thing I think. They recommended it because I said that I'm a programmer and therefore spend looooots of time in front of a monitor.
Maybe when you're at work get up and go for a quick walk around the office, grab some water, etc every 30 minutes to an hour?
This is really important. The more often you can do this, the better. Every 20 minutes, even. And look at something very far away as well, if at all possible. Close your eyes and relax for 30 seconds, focus on something far away, focus on something a little closer, rinse, repeat.
Yes getting the anti-glare coating makes a huge improvement when you work in front of a computer all day.
I'm on the computer most of my waking life and almost never have any eye problems.
Except when I get a new game.
I know I don't blink very often once I'm wrapped up in it. My eyes get dry and quite bloodshot, lasting a day or so after finishing the intense gaming. I look like I've been drinking and smoking.