The Indian mythology suggests that once Goddess Parvati closed the two eyes of her husband Lord Shiva playfully. Soon the world was found to be covered with extreme darkness. As a solution, Lord Shiva created his famous "Third Eye" to light up this world again. Thus, you can see how important your eyes are! It is one of the most important sense organs which enables you see the beauty as well as the miseries of this world. Thus you need to ensure optimum heath for your eyes to allow it to remain as a "performing asset" for a long term.
In this computer age, the world is confined to touch screens and eye strains are quite common. It's not just because of working on computers for long hours, but can also be due to watching TV, going for long drives especially during night time and working or reading in poor lighting environment. Eyestrain basically occurs due to intense use of eyes which results in visual fatigue. Usually, eye strains are not that serious and giving proper rest to the eyes may help relieve the pain. But still, eye strain can prove to be annoying at times. Recurrences of eye strains are quite common but, certain modifications in the nature of job and other factors related to eyestrain can prevent eye strain to a greater extent.
Tips to Prevent Eye Strain
- Take Micro-Breaks: It is one of the best and most simple ways to prevent eye strain. All you need to do is to shift your focus for 20 seconds to some other object. For example, if you are continuously focusing on your computer screen, then you will need to focus somewhere else may be outside the window or some other distinct point or object after every twenty minutes. You can also do some other work and if possible, stand up and move around after every 1 to 2 hours.
- Blink Your Eyes: It may sound funny but make a conscious effort to blink your eyes. Continuously focusing on the computer screen may cause dryness in your eyes and blinking moistens and lubricates your eyes and prevents dryness. In extreme cases, you may have to consult an ophthalmologist and use artificial tear drops to moisten it.
- Modify Your Work Area: Certain modifications like using non-reflecting interfaces whenever possible, adjusting your screen such that it is at a 90 degree angle from any direct light source, using more of indirect lighting and anti-glare filters on monitors can help you to minimize the possibilities of straining your eyes.
- Prefer Vision Friendly Settings on Screens and Monitors: Adjustments like contrast and color according to the surroundings can prevent eye strain to large extent.
- Do Eye Exercises: Exercise your eye muscles to allow it to get strengthened and to develop good endurance. Practice relaxation exercises like deep breathing exercises synchronized with eye exercises. Some effective eye exercises include blinking eyes against resistance at eyebrows, watching up and down and diagonally and opening eyes against resistance.
- Massage Your Eyelids: Massage your eyelids and the surrounding muscles gently in between long hours of strenuous work. This process induces relaxation and improves circulation. It also stimulates the tear glands which prevent dryness of eyes thereby reducing the symptoms of eye strain.
- Use Protective Eyewear: The use of protective eyewear designed optimally for computer use or for driving may help prevent eye strain.
Every signal which the body sends out as symptoms may indicate more upcoming problems. Eye strain can lead to a number of problems like tension headaches and neck aches. Early intervention is the best way to prevent future problems. After all, we do not have that "emergency" "Third Eye" like Lord Shiva! We just have a pair of these jewels!
