By Sam Bennison

To Your Health

How to prevent eye strain

Sep 17, 2024 | 7:01 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—After long periods of focus whether it’s on the computer or reading books your eyes can begin to fatigue. Dr. Jennifer Wilczek, an optometrist at Parker Optometry, recommends that when you are studying or working to follow the 20-20 rule. The 20-20 rule is that every 20 minutes take a 20 second break and stare 20 feet away.

Even if you don’t feel your eyes getting tired the 20-20 rule is still recommended as a precautionary measure as everyone experiences different symptoms.

“Some people don’t feel anything at all,” says Dr. Wilczek. “Some people get headaches, some people just get tired, some people find they have to read the same paragraph a few times. But those can be all signs of eyestrain.”

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As for eye strain when working on a computer specifically, Dr. Wilczek recommends wearing blue light glasses. Blue light glasses work by having a reflective coating that block blue light from getting to your eyes

If you notice that you are experiencing eye strain more often it may be a good idea to get an eye exam.

“Don’t hesitate to follow up with eye exams just to make sure small changes in prescription,” adds Dr. Wilcsek. “Even having very small prescriptions can make big impacts to help us study time and screen time to help with that eye strain.”

If this article took you 20 minutes to read, take 20 seconds and stare 20 feet away.

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com