How Working From Home Is Damaging Our Eyes: An Analysis

• Spending a lot of time in front of a computer can make you suffer from Computer Eye Syndrome (CES).
• CES can lead to problems like swelling, redness, itching, headaches, dryness, and blurry vision.
• Doctors advise that professionals working from home should take precautions when working on computers.

While ‘remote working’ and ‘work from home’ have become the new normal, the effect it has on health has been rarely discussed. The pandemic has forced us to adapt to different new models of working. A lot has been said about the advantages of working from home.

However, closer examination reveals that there is no denying the fact that it causes several health issues. Every part of the human body comes under a lot of strain when individuals spend a lot of time sitting in front of computer screens.

In this article, we specifically shed light on the damage working from home has on our eyes. If you are someone that thinks that eye health is important, you need to read this article till the end.

What happens to our eyes when we sit in front of computer screens?

Most parts of the human body have a natural mechanism already in place to help them recover. For example, blinking your eyes helps in keeping the filament moisturized and lubricated. If you are working on the computer, the intervals where you blink become longer.

Constant staring without blinking reduces the lubrication that the eye requires. This results in dry eyes, which can then lead to itching and irritation.

Computer screens along with mobile devices emit something known as ‘Blue Light’. While this has the advantage of keeping us alert and aware, too much exposure to the eyes is not good. Studies have shown how over-exposure to blue light can affect healthy sleep.

Additionally, studies have also shown how in the long run, it can lead to damage to our retinas. A lot of research is still underway, but the initial signs are not good.

‘Digital Eye Strain’ is now an established medical condition. According to studies, more than half of the American adult population suffers from digital eye strain. This is increasing because of work from home conditions.

Tips to prevent damage to our eyes while working from home

In this section, we are going to look at some tips and tricks that can help you take care of your eyes.

1. Maintaining proper distance between the screen and the eyes-

The closer you are to the computer screen, the higher are the chances of eye strain. This is why experts recommend keeping the screen at a distance between 50 to 100 centimeters. This ensures that the rays are losing intensity on their way to your eyes. This holds true for all devices- computers, smartphones, and tablets.

1. Keeping the room brightly lit to reduce eye strains-

A lot of us are in the habit of turning down the room’s lighting and working on computers. This is not a good approach. There is a reason why your office was always so brightly lit. Surrounding light plays a major role in reducing eye strains. Dimly lit rooms lead eyes to focus more on the source of light, in this case, the computer screen. This leads to eye strain.

1. Taking small breaks between work hours from the screen-

When we talk of breaks, we are not referring to thirty minutes. What we are talking about is excusing yourself from the system every two hours and giving your eyes rest for at least five minutes. You should keep repeating the same at least five to six times a day to help give relief to your eyes. This can help in reducing dry eye syndrome as well as limiting headaches.

1. Engaging in eyesight exercises while sitting in front of the computer screen-

If you have been reading up on the issue, you must have heard about the 20-20-20 rule. Look away from the computer screen every 20 seconds to an object that is located 20 feet away for a period of 20 seconds. Our eyes become stronger when we stare at objects located at a distance. This is a simple exercise that should be done twice or thrice in an hour.

1. Use screens that help block the blue light emitting from the screens-

There are two major things you can do in this regard. Firstly, you can go on Amazon and get yourself a screen that guards against the blue light. Secondly, you can get eyewear that has a film that protects blue light. When you use both together, you will be able to successfully reduce the harmful and strenuous blue rays from the screen reaching your eyes.

The Final Word

Following the above-mentioned tips can go a long way in helping you protect your eyes while working from home. Our eyes are one of our most important assets and care should be taken to protect them at all costs. If you have any other questions or seek clarifications on any of the points, let us know in the comments below.