How to keep your eyes healthy? (2024)
One skill that all digital artists should have is knowing how to take care of their eyes. For many of us, especially digital artists and those whose work centers around screens, screens play a vital role in our daily lives. Although general guidelines advise minimizing screen time, for individuals who rely on screens for work, it's a way of life.
Since computers are still relatively new, research on their long-term implications on human health is ongoing. Nonetheless, a 2018 study discovered that over 50% of computer users experience digital eye strain. Similar to purchasing a chair to alleviate back pain, there are methods to consider when attempting to reduce eye strain. (If you're new to digital art, you should start by reading our guides to the top drawing tablets and software for artists.
As a working digital artist, I understand the need of maintaining good eye and wrist health, so I'm delighted to share my routines and suggestions for preventing and managing digital eye strain and its symptoms. I've included some essential pointers and suggestions below.
06 PRO Tips
01. Make sure to stretch and take frequent rests.
This is the first piece of advice I've used since working as an intern at my cousin Alex May's retouching firm. Every twenty minutes, the team set a timer and took a break to stretch and get away from the screen. I don't use a timer, but I do try to get up once or twice an hour to stretch my back, drink some water, and take a quick break from the screen.
02. Incorporate eye exercises into your routine
I've tried a lot of different eye exercises over the years, but my favorite—which has kind of become a habit—is to just maintain focusing on three points: one in the foreground, one in the midground, and one in the background.
We are not naturally good at focusing on one thing for long amounts of time, therefore the goal of this exercise is to keep your eyes moving in their entire range. Pencil pushups are a similar concept that you may attempt. Holding the pencil at arm's length, concentrate on the top of it.
Then, move the pencil closer to your nose while keeping your attention on it. This one, meanwhile, is more difficult to pull off in a public setting.
03. Modify the color temperature and brightness of your monitor.
To lessen digital eye strain, you can arrange your screens in a variety of ways. It is preferable to have a display that matches the surrounding light levels in terms of brightness because it is easier on the eyes.
Certain gadgets, like my MacBook, have an automated brightness feature that handles this task for me by continuously adjusting its brightness to match the ambient light. If this feature is absent from your device, you can make manual adjustments. Make the screen brighter when the day grows brighter and vice versa. Not only should the screen not be the room's light source, but it also shouldn't be so dark that it forces you to squint.
My laptop's true tone color setting not only modifies brightness but also the display color to best fit the ambient lighting. While this true tone feature works well for administrative duties, it may not be the best for people who need to perform really exact color work.
04. Improve your room lighting setup
Your surroundings and monitor complement each other well, and there is a sweet spot in the illumination there as well. The effects of working in low light are similar to those of reading in low light. You may experience discomfort and digital eye strain as a result of your eyes straining more frequently.
On the other hand, glare on some monitors can result from working directly next to a window when light is hitting the screen, which further strains the eyes. Natural light, floor lamps, and ceiling lights are my three favorite types of lighting; none of them are aimed directly at the screen.
As an alternative, you can reduce this problem by purchasing an anti-glare screen protector. Alternatively, if you're about to get a new computer, think about going with one that has a matte screen.
05. Remoisturise your eyes
Blink! The exact opposite of what I would advise someone dealing with the Weeping Angels of Doctor Who. Our eyes become parched when staring at screens because we blink less. You could attempt to deliberately remember to blink more.
It's hardly practical, though, as you presumably have more pressing matters on your mind. To help remoisturize, there are a variety of over-the-counter eye drops available if you've noticed any irritation. Hycosan Extra is used by my partner, who works in the computer industry, to help with dry eyes.
06. Keep your screens at a distance
The act of placing your screen too near to your face is another cause of digital eyestrain. According to the College of Optometrists, you should place your screen 40–76 cm from your face, with the top of the screen at eye level. Because my eyes are not accustomed to sitting that high up, I have discovered in the past that using a screen that is too high up has caused additional eye fatigue.
These are just suggestions based on my own experience of relieving headaches from digital eye strain. Kindly consult a physician, optician, or other medical professional if you are experiencing headaches and blurred vision, or if you are concerned that your vision may be declining.
FAQ/
Which three signs of digital eye strain are present?
-Headaches, blurred vision, and eye discomfort are frequent symptoms, however this list is not all-inclusive.
What is the eye rule 20-20-20?
-It's a well-known computer usage guideline to glance away from your screen every 20 minutes for 20 seconds and focus on something 20 feet away.
Is blue light going to hurt my eyes?
-The effects of blue light are still being investigated, so the verdict is still out. It does, however, stimulate and wake us up; for this reason, we might want to minimize its use before bed.
Can a person develop chronic digital eye strain?
-Digital eyestrain is uncomfortable and occasionally painful, but there is no proof that it can last a lifetime.