I’ve worked with computers for many years now but just lately my eyes seem to get irritated more easily and feel at their worst by the end of the week. Is this linked to computer use or something else, and can I do anything to alleviate this?
Sarah Farrant, Optometrist and Dry Eye Specialist, is here to help.
Dry eyes are often a natural part of getting older, but they can also be exacerbated by lots of different things, like using computers. In fact, bad habits when using computers are some of the most common reasons for irritable, dry eyes.
Failing to take regular breaks from screens and using a computer for more than six hours a day means dry eye is a common problem. It’s caused by concentration and not blinking as often as we should. We develop dry spots on the surface of our eyes and suffer reflex tearing – watery tears that simply run off our eyes and do nothing to hydrate them.
Try following the 20:20:20 rule while you’re using the computer; every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You can also try preservative-free hydrating eye drops, such as the Hycosan range from Boots.
We now also supply special contact lenses for people who spend a lot of time at the computer screen – introducing Biofinity Energys Contact Lenses!