Relief for Tired Eyes

Tuesday, July 23, 2002

ROCHESTER, MINN. — Any close up work, like reading, computer work or crafts, can result in eyestrain. Your eyes may feel dry, irritated, sore or tired. You may have blurred vision, a headache or a sore neck.

Following are a few tips from the new book Mayo Clinic on Vision and Eye Health (soft-cover, $14.95) to help reduce eyestrain and prevent eye disease:

*When you are doing close-up work, make sure that you have light directed at your task. Position the light source behind you and direct the light onto your page when reading. The light should be bright but not glaring. If you're reading at a desk, use a shaded light positioned in front of you. The shade will keep light from shining in your eyes.

*Keep the room softly illuminated when watching television. Too great a contrast, like watching TV in the dark, can result in eyestrain.

*Wear protective eyewear when required for work, sports or recreational activities. Sunglasses can protect your eyes from damaging UV sun rays. Welding arcs or tanning lamps also can burn the cornea much like sunlight. Look for glasses that block 90 to 100 percent of both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light.

*Use caution when cooking or doing housework. Spattered cooking grease, splashed detergent, garden chemicals or disinfectants can harm your eyes. It is also a good idea to wear protective eyewear for home-repair tasks, hobbies and while working on the car.

You can often relieve computer eyestrain by changing your work habits and rearranging your workstation and equipment. Mayo Clinic on Vision and Eye Health offers these tips for reducing eyestrain while working at your computer:

*Take eye breaks by looking away from the computer screen at an object several feet away for 10 seconds every 10 minutes.

*Many people blink less than normal when working at the computer, and this can result in dry, irritated eyes. Consider using artificial teardrops if you work at a computer for extended periods of time.

*Position your computer monitor 20 to 30 inches from your eyes — about an arm's length away. If you wear glasses or contacts, make sure the correction is right for computer work. Most lenses are fitted for reading print, which you do at a closer distance than the position of your monitor. Good posture will help prevent muscle soreness in the neck and back when working at a computer.

While you're taking steps to care for your vision, think about improving your hearing, too. Mayo Clinic Health Information is offering a free booklet titled "10 Tips for Better Hearing." Write to Mayo Clinic Communications — Better Hearing booklet offer — OE-6, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. Or, order the book Mayo Clinic on Vision and Eye Health ($14.95 plus shipping, handling and applicable sales tax) by calling 800-291-1128, extension 154 and receive the booklet free with your purchase.

Revenues from sales of Mayo Clinic books are used to help support Mayo Clinic programs, including medical education and research.
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Contact:
Sara Lee
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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