Doing various activities in front of the computer, whether for work or just enjoying entertainment, often makes us forget the time. In fact, too long staring at a computer screen has a detrimental effect on our eyes.
Research from the London Hazards Center found that around 70 per cent of people who work in front of a computer screen for more than 6 hours per day have visual impairments. Meanwhile, the Berkeley School of Optometry in the United States reports, about 30 percent of school children in the United States experience stress on the eyes due to using computers for too long.
There is no evidence or case that working in front of a computer screen will result in permanent damage to the eyes. But for sure, working too long without a break in front of the computer will cause a decrease in vision function.
Get to know the symptoms
If you have to dwell on a computer screen for a fairly long duration in one day (more than 5 hours), then be aware of the following Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) symptoms:
• Eye fatigue
• Dry eyes
• Itchy or burning eyes
• Sensitive to changes in light
• Double or ghost view
• Headache
In addition, considering that the definition of a computer is getting wider, I include smartphones, gaming devices such as the PSP and Nintendo DS, and tablet PCs into the computer screen category because users of these devices have similar usage patterns to computers.
Reduce CVS effect
Most eye problems caused by computer screens are common at work, both in the office and at home. For the younger generation, these disorders can occur due to playing computer games for too long.
To reduce the effect, you can do the following:
- Drink enough water while you work. Again, water. Not tea, coffee or other drinks.
- Avoid blowing the air conditioner directly into the eyes. Provide eye drops to moisten the eyes.
- Rest your eyes for five minutes every 30 minutes. You can train it by looking at objects that vary in distance.
- Adjust the brightness and contrast levels on the screen so that it is not too bright and comfortable on the eyes.
- Adjust the screen so that it is pointed at the optimal angle and keep it at a distance so that it is not too close to the eyes.
- Ensure that there is adequate lighting in your workspace.
- For those who often read text, make sure the size of the text is large enough so that the eyes do not get tired.
- Ensure adequate intake of nutrients, especially vitamin A. If not, eat foods rich in vitamin A such as tomatoes, carrots, and so on.
Although visual impairment can be corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses, a healthy, eye-free eye is much better. For those who have difficulty or often forget to rest their eyes, always remember that health is a very valuable thing. Agree?
The following is one of the testimonials experienced by a writer who is in the computer field who says that: Lately, I feel like my eyes are starting to feel blurry when I look far away.
Whereas in the past, when you saw distant objects, it was still very clear. Maybe this is one of the effects of computer radiation. But I can't complain either, because in my daily work I demand to be in front of the computer for hours.
I feel you must have experienced the same thing, right? there is even my neighbor's child who is 10 years old but already wears glasses. it's very worrying. so this time I will try to share a little trick with you all on how to take care of your eyes so that they are always in good health.
- Try installing a filter on your computer monitor. This filter serves to block radiation from reaching your eyes.
- Choose an LCD/plasma monitor. because this monitor is believed to be better than the old model monitor. If you have enough money, you can buy a good VGA so that the monitor color does not tire the eyes.
- Keep your eyes away from the computer monitor. ideally the eye distance to the computer is 30 cm.
- Put the monitor at your eye level. Don't be too low and not too high. Try when you look at the computer it feels good and comfortable.
- Adjust the color on the monitor screen so that it is pleasing to the eye. Don't be too bright because it can cause your eyes to be glared. Also don't be too dark, because it will cause your eyes to work too hard, making your eyes dry quickly.
- Set the screen refresh rate to 75 htz, if you use Windows XP, right click on desktop-properties-setting-advanced-monitor-see the screen refresh rate column. Set it to 75 htz.
- Blink as often as possible. Because by blinking your eyes, it will stimulate the tear glands to secrete tears which function to make your eyes wet and moist. If you rarely blink your eyes, your eyes will become dry. finally red. If necessary, you can buy eye drops to make the eyes always wet.
- You can buy some kind of glasses that you can wear when using the computer.
- Pay attention to the light around the room where you use the computer, make sure the room has enough light supply. do not use the computer in a dark room (not enough light).
- After using the computer for a long time, rest your eyes for at least 15 minutes. you can look outside the room to refresh the eyes. try to see green objects such as trees and leaves. because according to the researchers, the green color is able to make the eyes fresh again.
- Expand the consumption of foods that contain vitamin A such as carrots. Also be diligent to check your eyes to an eye doctor to find out if there are eye problems. If your eyes really feel bad, don't be shy to wear glasses.
- So a few tips from me. hopefully after you apply these tips can make your eye health more awake.
- From now on love your eyes. Because this is a gift given to God. imagine if you can no longer enjoy the beauty of nature. (wow can't imagine) treasure can be found but health can't be bought. remember that!
