5 Ways to Reduce Eye Strain While Using Your PC

Since I spend hours a day sitting in front of a computer, I know how uncomfortable eye strain can be.
That invariable tiredness, dryness, and even headache are all too common when you're stuck glued in front of a screen for either work or play.
The good news is that there are simple things that we can do to protect our eyes without slowing down our lifestyles.
I've picked up over the years a few simple tricks—like working in short intervals and adjusting screen settings—that quite literally make a difference.
For this article, I'll outline five simple, effective tips for reducing eye strain while working on your PC, so you can work comfortably with healthy eyes.
5. Position Your Screen Correctly

One of the first things I found out about reducing eye strain is the significant impact where you put the screen has on comfort.
Ideally, I situate my screen so that the top of the monitor is at or just below eye level. Through this, I'm looking down somewhat, and this feels much more natural and easy for my eyes.
I also position the screen about an arm's length away from me, so I'm not straining or squinting to see small things.
Window glare or bright overhead lights behind the screen can make things worse, so I position my monitor in such a way as to minimize harsh reflections.
Small changes like this make a big difference in how my eyes feel after a long day of computing.
4. Optimize Display Settings

Another simple method I apply to reduce eye fatigue is by adapting my screen settings. Bright or dark screens will tire your eyes soon, so I adjust brightness to match the lighting of the room.
I also check that the contrast level is comfortable enough that text is legible without being too harsh.
Increasing the text size is a huge bonus too; it means I don't need to lean forward or squint to see minute details.
I only use blue light filters at night because blue light during the day keeps you up. Took a few minutes to tweak those settings and your computer time will be so much easier on your eyes.
3. Use Proper Lighting in Your Workspace

Proper lighting at your work station is something that I used to take for granted, but it is actually vitally important in reducing eye strain.
I try to avoid harsh overhead lighting that glares on my screen, and instead choose soft, indirect light that doesn't cause my eyes to do extra work.
Natural light is great, but I make sure it isn't shining directly on the screen or directly into my eyes.
If my room is too dark, I set an adjustable brightness desk lamp to balance it. Proper lighting reduces the contrast between your screen and surroundings to prevent your eyes from tiring too quickly.
Adjustment of lighting might seem small, but it changes your entire comfort level significantly.
2. Adjust Screen Brightness and Contrast

Adjusting my screen's brightness and contrast to be tighter is another simple solution to how I make my computer slightly more eye-friendly.
Too bright on my screen, my eyes feel like they're constantly fighting glare, which exhausts them sooner.
Too low, and I'm straining all the time just to read everything well. I usually calibrate the brightness so that it's in a natural-feeling balance.
Contrast also plays a role; if it's too low, the screen looks washed out, and when too high, words are hard to behold.
I like to find a middle ground where colors and words stand out but not too harsh. These subtle adjustments enable me to work with ease for longer without my eyes tiring.
1. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

One of the most basic yet helpful habits that I have learned to reduce eye strain is the 20-20-20 rule.
I take a short pause every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple habit lets my eyes relax and reset from focusing too intensely on the screen.
It's amazing how such a short break can cut short the dryness and tiredness I used to get after hours of computer usage.
Putting a timer on my phone keeps me remembering to do so regularly. Such a very simple habit that makes a big difference in keeping my eyes in comfort throughout the day.
Do the best you can with what you’ve got
Sometimes, we can't manage everything in our environment or calendar. I've learned to do my best with what I have—whether that is adapting what's possible or taking brief pauses when I can.
Every little bit helps, and making even little adaptations has assisted my eye comfort significantly.
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