Relieving eye strain from computer

[StudentDoGter]

We just started M1, and have been on zoom for 4-8 hours each day. I’ve noticed that my eyes are extremely tired and strained from looking at the screen all day. Does anyone have any recommendations? I’m not sure if blue light screen protectors/glasses are a good option, as I’ve heard contrasting information. Thank you so much, I’m having a hard time 🙁

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[agiraffe999]

I have blue light glasses from Amazon. I don’t have the link but they were $20 and >4.5 stars so I tried them, and honestly they’re great. If it’s a day I’m staring at a computer for a while I’ll put in contacts and wear them. I’ve also noticed that at night once I take them off, my phone light is a lot worse than normal, so I think they work. Definitely worth the investment, Id try them if I were you. Hope you feel better as well

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I have blue light glasses that were $16 for two pairs. They seem to be working.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Blue light glasses work as mentioned above. I personally have my screen set to nighttime mode permanently.

 

[libertyyne]

Blue light glasses work as mentioned above. I personally have my screen set to nighttime mode permanently.

I use f.lux permanently enabled on both my screens and the brightness turned down to low. Other things that have been mentioned is to take a break every 20 to look away and focus at a distant object.

Mental exhaustion for me set in before my eyes would give out. Good luck OP.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Lots of debate on the efficacy of blue light glasses, with most of the knowledgeable people I know coming down against them - there is really very little evidence to support it. Might be worth a try if you can find something affordable. Best thing you can do is just take an eye break every 20-30 minutes - take a minute or two to look away from your screen, look around the room, close your eyes, etc. Set a timer on your phone or computer if you have trouble remembering.

Tbf there is very little evidence because there hasn't been much research done on them. There's very little evidence supporting or against it. There are some extremely small RCTs showing a benefit. But you can get them for like 10 bucks, and they certainly aren't going to hurt you.

Definitely like the 20:20:20 rule. Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

 

[agiraffe999]

Lots of debate on the efficacy of blue light glasses, with most of the knowledgeable people I know coming down against them - there is really very little evidence to support it. Might be worth a try if you can find something affordable. Best thing you can do is just take an eye break every 20-30 minutes - take a minute or two to look away from your screen, look around the room, close your eyes, etc. Set a timer on your phone or computer if you have trouble remembering.

I have them, and I’m pretty sure it’s just a placebo effect although either way it “works” for me.

 

[kraskadva]

+1 for f.lux and +however many for blue light glasses (which are also useful for night driving).
I don't care if it's placebo, I have less headaches/eye strain and that's all that matters to me

 

[ExplodingUlcers]

Lots of debate on the efficacy of blue light glasses, with most of the knowledgeable people I know coming down against them - there is really very little evidence to support it. Might be worth a try if you can find something affordable. Best thing you can do is just take an eye break every 20-30 minutes - take a minute or two to look away from your screen, look around the room, close your eyes, etc. Set a timer on your phone or computer if you have trouble remembering.

I keep my phone's blue light filter turned on permanently and now, everytime I switch it back to normal for looking at pics, I find it jarring. Might be worth a shot.

 

[IsleyOfTheNorth]

I think wearing any type of glasses helps to prevent eye-drying. Also, make sure that you have sufficient back-lighting in the room for contrast so your monitor isn't your only source of bright light.

 

[DrRedstone]

The main problem with looking at a computer screen for a long time is that it reduces your blink reflex. If you can force yourself to blink more regularly while you're watching things on the zoom, your eyes will feel less tired overall. You can also use something like refresh or systane artificial tears. I know that the evidence is still up in the air as to whether or not blue light filters are actually good, but I wear glasses and I got blue light filters on them and I have the subjective impression that they help.

 

[StudentDoGter]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

 

[deleted1005514]

Blue light glasses (my prescription glasses have a blue light coating)
Dark mode for everything on my computer, plus blue light reduction
I hook my laptop up to my flatscreen for lectures. Watching on a larger screen from farther away seems to help.
After I finish watching lectures I do something away from my computer for an hour or so...draw on a whiteboard or notebook paper, read a physical textbook, etc.
Take breaks every couple of hours.