advertisement...
Senior Resources » 10 Helpful Tips on Dealing with Eye Strain

10 Helpful Tips on Dealing with Eye Strain

Some older adults suffer from eye strain. Cleveland Clinic defines eye strain as “a common condition caused by intense use of your eyes, such as reading or driving long distances.” Of course, with the advent of technology, prolonged periods of staring at a glowing screen are also a culprit! If you’re struggling with eye strain, you’re not alone. Here are 10 tips that may just help you find relief.

Advertisement.

1. Give audiobooks a try.

African American Baby Boomer walking in the park listening to podcast on headphones

If you’re a bookworm, eye strain is more than an inconvenience. It can be a major hindrance to your favorite pastime. Fortunately, you don’t have to shelve your books! The next time your eyes are too tired to read, try out an audiobook. Many online retailers offer them, including Audible and Scribd. You may even be able to find audiobooks at your local library!

2. Step away from your computer screen.

man on computer

Chances are, if you work in an office, your eyes are glued to a computer screen eight hours a day, five days a week. Even if you’re not an office drone, your job still might require you to stare at a screen for hours on end. You could always invest in blue light glasses. These nifty little accessories are designed to filter out blue light, meaning they can protect your peepers from eye strain. Of course, another solution that I recommend is taking frequent breaks. Step away from your computer screen, walk around for a bit, and stretch those muscles. It’s important for both your eyes and your body!

Advertisement.

3. Adjust lighting.

Retina-burning. The perfect descriptor for some TVs. As technology has improved, so has lighting. And while a crisp HD picture with bright lights might make for a more magical viewing experience, it can also hurt your eyes. My recommendation? Adjust the lighting on your TV. You can even adjust the lighting on your phone, tablet, or other devices. Don’t subject your poor eyes to bright lighting unless it’s absolutely necessary. They go through enough, as it is!

4. Get proper sleep.

sleeping on the couch seniors

We’re all guilty of staying up past our bedtime. Maybe you just couldn’t sleep until you binge-watched the entire first season of that new show everyone’s talking about. Or maybe you just couldn’t resist getting a cup of coffee on the way home from work. Whatever the case, inadequate sleep wreaks havoc on your eyes. Studies show that sleep deprivation may cause eye strain, twitchy eyelids, and other unpleasant symptoms. The good news is, the solution is simple. Get enough sleep! Trust me—you (and your eyes) will feel so much better.

5. Swap your contacts for glasses.

senior couple wearing eyeglasses

For some, wearing contact lenses is like second nature. However, contact lenses may actually contribute to eye strain. Not only can they cause dry eye, but they may actually exacerbate digital eye strain! You don’t have to put away your contact lenses forever. But on days when your eyes just aren’t feeling contacts, don’t force it. Alternate between wearing contacts and glasses to give your eyes a rest. You may feel more confident in contacts, but there’s nothing more beautiful than feeling your best.

6. Get regular eye exams.

Preventative care is important, especially when it comes to our eyes! Regular eye exams can help you keep up with your optic health and adjust your prescription as necessary. When you wear the wrong prescription, it puts you at an increased risk for eye strain. Additionally, your eye doctor can give you helpful tips on how to avoid eye strain and keep your peepers nice and healthy!

Advertisement.

7. Get blue-light blocking glasses.

In our world, it’s hard to avoid screens for too long. Whether you work on a computer all day or can’t pry yourself away from your Kindle, most of us are staring at a screen for the better half of the day. Unfortunately, computers and other devices emit potentially harmful blue light, which can increase the risk of eye strain. The solution? Blue light-blocking glasses! These nifty little devices block blue light, allowing you to stare at screens for longer periods while keeping headaches and eye strain at bay. While you can always purchase these glasses on Amazon, you can also ask your eye doctor about prescription blue light-blocking glasses.

It may sound like obvious advice, but when we hyper-focus on something like work or reading, we have the tendency to not blink as often. But blinking is actually healthy. Not only does blinking lubricate our eyeballs, but it may actually prevent digital eye strain. Experts recommend blinking every 10 to 15 seconds while you’re staring at a screen. It’ll keep your vision nice and sharp and make you less susceptible to eyestrain. The very definition of a win-win!

9. Adjust your screen settings.

typing on computer in lap

If you don’t like the default settings on your computer or other devices, you can readjust them to your liking! In fact, lowering your screen brightness and adjusting text size may prevent eyestrain. So, if your computer feels a little bit like a supernova, don’t subject your eyes to that bright light forever. Instead, turn down the brightness. Make the text bigger. Do whatever you can to make your computer time—and your eyes—more comfortable!

10. Keep your eyes moist.

Dry eyes are scratchy and uncomfortable, like a desert in your sockets. Worse still, dry eyes put you at an increased risk for infection. Of course, staring at screens for long periods of time can also contribute to dryness. Consider getting artificial tears and using them periodically. You can also purchase a desktop humidifier, like this one available on Amazon. Not only are these devices good for dry eyes—they can also help dry skin, too. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!

Looking for more?

If you’re looking for even more great articles, then check out our Health & Wellness Blog!

Advertisement.

Popular Articles About Vision and Eye Care

Originally published November 09, 2023

Author(s):

Free Senior Resources

Ultimate Guide to Retirement Communities

The Ultimate Guide to Retirement Communities

Get The Guide
5 Health conditions e-book cover

5 Health Conditions That Affect Baby Boomers and 5 Ways to Avoid Them

Get The Guide
ultimate estate planning checklist and guide

Ultimate Estate Planning Checklist & Guide

Get The Guide

Guide to Adult Day Care

Get The Guide
Show this content while the ad loads.