Courtesy of Dr. Edward Kondrot
The majority of people today in offices spend a great deal of their time in front of the computer screen. Once people get home from work, they tend to fire up the home computer and use it for personal reasons. All this computer use leaves a lot of people experiencing what the American Optometric Association refers to as “computer vision syndrome.” The good news is that there are preventative measures that can be taken to help keep the problems to a minimum.
“We can’t avoid spending a lot of time in front of computer screens, these days. It’s become a part of our everyday lives,” explains Dr. Edward Kondrot, founder of the Healing The Eye & Wellness Center. “But the same type of stress can also come from watching television, reading, or doing anything that places a long-term strain on our eyes. It is important to do things to help avoid the problem and to keep us from feeling the symptoms.”
Computer vision syndrome has a range of symptoms that include headaches, blurred and double vision, inability to focus, eyestrain, neck and shoulder pain, and watery or dry eyes. It can be caused from spending a prolonged period of time putting strain on the eye. Here are some tips for helping to prevent computer vision syndrome:
- Vitamins and minerals. Considering that the eyes have one of the highest energy requirements in the body, it is important that they get proper amounts of vitamins and minerals. Dr. Kondrot recommends that people use Vision Saver Formula, manufactured by Nutritional Research, which offers key antioxidants and ingredients that will help improve the health of the eye and reduce eyestrain.
- Homeopathy. Speak with a practitioner to find a level of therapy that will work for your individual circumstances. One of the most common homeopathic remedies to treat eye strain is Ruta Graveolens. This remedy can greatly reduce the symptoms of eye strain during prolonged computer use.
- Blinking. To help keep the eyes from becoming dry, try to blink often. This will help to keep the eye surface moist and prevent it from drying out. Try opening and closing your eyes in a slower motion, giving your eye more time to become moistened.
- Palming. Close your eyes and gently rest the heels of your hands on your cheekbones, covering your eyes with your palms. Imagine and visualize blackness. At the same time, feel your breathing. Breathe deeply, slowly, and evenly, through your nose. The slower you breathe, the better.
- Increase the light. Not having a light on when you are using the computer (or television) can put more of a strain on your eyes. Be sure to put a light on, to help reduce the strain.
- Check the position. The position of your computer can add to your eye strain. It is important that it is positioned a good distance away, around 20-28 inches from the eye, and that there are no glares on it. Re-position your computer to provide maximum eye comfort.
- Take breaks. Even while on the job, it is important to give your eyes a break when using the computer. Ideally, aim for a 15-minute computer break every two hours, and look away from the computer screen for 20 seconds at least every 20 minutes.
“These are all small steps, on their own, but doing them will add up to helping prevent your eyes from straining,” adds Dr. Kondrot. “The more we can do to prevent problems with our eyes, the better. We need to take proper care of them, just as we do other parts of our body.”
Dr. Kondrot is the author of three best-selling books, including “10 Essentials to Save Your Sight” (Advantage Media Group, July 2012), and president of the Arizona Homeopathic and Integrative Medical Association. He has founded the Healing The Eye & Wellness Center, located just north of Tampa, Fla., which offers alternative and homeopathic routes to vision therapies known as the “Kondrot Program.” The program focuses on such conditions as macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, cataracts, and others. His advanced programs have helped people from around the world restore their vision. The center sits on 50 acres of land and features a 14,000-square-foot state-of-the art complex, an organic ranch, jogging trails, swimming pool, hot tub, and more. For more information, visit the site at www.healingtheeye.com.