INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USERS OF COMPUTERS
& PED’s [PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES - iPhones, Tablets, etc.]
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1.Keep all computers and PED’s at least 16-20” (40-50 cm) away from your eyes.
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2.Every 15 minutes, look up from your computer or PED for one to two minutes to allow
your eyes to relax and refocus on something in the distance - at least 20 feet (6 meters) away.
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3.Once an hour, take a longer (5-minute) break from the computer or PED, as described in item 2.
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4.During these breaks, blink your eyes fully (completely close your eyelids) 20 or more times.
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5.If your eyes get dry or irritated while using computers or PED’s, start using artificial tears two hours before the dryness or irritation usually begins. Use 1-2 drops of artificial tears every hour while taking the longer 5-minute break described in item 3 above.
DISCUSSION
1. Holding reading materials, computers, PED’s, etc. too close makes your eyes work harder to keep things clear and single. This additional effort causes your eyes to get tired more quickly and may give you eye strain, headaches, and blurry vision. It can also cause cramping of the eye’s focusing muscles.
2 & 3. Looking at things near to your eyes (reading, computers, etc.) makes your eyes work to keep things clear and single. If you look up after working on any of these devices for more than an hour, and it takes some time for things far away to clear up, your focusing muscles have cramped from using them too much. Looking at things at least 15-20 ft away allows your eye muscles to relax. Giving your eye muscles frequent breaks by looking at things in the distance is important to prevent and relieve the problems mentioned above.
4. Using computers and PED’s causes the eyes to blink incompletely and 50% less frequently. This can lead to dry, red, and irritated eyes. Making sure you are blinking fully and completely, when you take the recommended breaks, will help reduce these problems.
5. Many brands of non-prescription artificial tears are available at pharmacies, large stores like Target and Walmart, supermarkets, and health food stores. Some of the most common brands are Systane, Refresh, Tears Again, Theratears, Bion Tears, Blink, and Similasan (which is all natural). Some of these eye lubricants are also available in “gel” form, which is somewhat thicker than the artificial tears. Gels will last longer on the eyes, but may cause slight and temporary blur (about 30-60 seconds), and cannot be used with contact lenses. If the artificial tears do not provide enough relief, try one of the products above in “gel” form.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OR OTHER EYE CARE MATTERS, PLEASE CONSULT A LICENSED
EYE CARE PRACTITIONER.