Last Updated on June 26, 2024 by Prissila Murillo

Telecommuting is prevalent in contemporary society, where most employees work through digital devices. This type of working method allows working from any place connected to the internet in one way or another. It provides a great variety of opportunities and the chance to travel. However, this lifestyle has a significant danger of exposure to screens for long hours, which is very dangerous for the eyes.

Being constantly glued to our digital devices, we are at risk for digital eye strain, dry eyes, and even more severe vision problems. To avert these risks, digital nomads must implement efficient measures to safeguard their eyes from harm. We have computer glasses among the various tools that are vital for this effort. Here, you will find all the necessary information to prevent eye strain and many other tips for digital nomads to keep their eyes healthy, ensuring they can continue enjoying their flexible lifestyle without compromising their vision.

Understanding Digital Eye Strain

Computer vision syndrome, or digital eye strain, is a set of symptoms in the human eyes and vision system caused by long-duration exposure to digital devices. It includes dry eyes, fogging or blurring of vision, headache, and neck and shoulder aches. These symptoms can be exacerbated by prolonged focus on screens without breaks, incorrect screen brightness settings, and the cumulative effects of blue light exposure.

Due to several factors, it is possible to identify several causes of digital eye strain such as inadequate lighting, wrong viewing distances, and wrong settings on the screens. Additionally, the glare from screens and reflections can further strain the eyes, leading to discomfort. Digital nomads can work in different places at other times and often do not have a proper office setup where everything is ergonomic and has adequate lighting, which makes it easy for them to develop digital eye strain. Ensuring regular breaks, using anti-glare screens, and adjusting the screen settings can significantly reduce the risk of digital eye strain. Furthermore, integrating computer glasses into their daily routine can offer substantial relief and protection against the harmful effects of prolonged screen exposure.

The Role of Computer Glasses

Computer glasses are spectacles used to minimize the harm that comes with constant display usage. These glasses have incorporated lenses that provide comfort while viewing digital products, and most of them come with anti-reflective film and blue-tinted screen protection. Blue light in smartphones and computer screens affects sleep by interrupting natural rhythms and causing eye strain. By using computer glasses, digital nomads can minimize the impact of blue light and be comfortable when using screens for long hours. Additionally, these glasses often come with adjustable focal lengths, allowing for optimal viewing distances and reducing the need for eye adjustments. This helps in preventing digital eye strain, headaches, and long-term vision problems, ensuring that users can maintain productivity and comfort.

5 Tips for Reducing Eye Strain

Adopt the 20-20-20 Rule: One practical option to minimize eye strain is maintaining the 20-20-20 rule. For each 20 minutes of work, look at an object that lies 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple practice also assists in relieving fatigue of the muscles used by the eyes and helps to reset your focus, reducing the risk of digital eye strain.

Optimize Your Workspace: It is essential to ensure that the environment in which one spends a lot of time, such as the workplace, is ergonomically friendly to avoid eye strain and fatigue. Tilt the screen down slightly from the level of your eyes and place the screen at an approximately comfortable reading distance. Reduce the contrast to match the lighting conditions and ensure that the screen is not brightly lit, especially by sunlight, as this tends to cause glare. Additionally, investing in a chair with good lumbar support and a desk that allows for a comfortable typing position can make a significant difference.

Use Artificial Tears: Extended use of computers and television may reduce blinking and, therefore, lead to eye dryness. Applying artificial tears or any other eye drop solution can keep the eye moist and comfortable. It’s also helpful to consciously blink more often when using digital devices to maintain eye moisture.

Implement Screen Breaks: If possible, avoid long hours of using any screen-based device. Try to set a 5-minute interval before moving your eyes and body after spending a long time staring at the screen. This not only helps your eyes but also promotes relief from whole-body pressure most of the time. Taking short walks or stretching can help alleviate physical tension and improve overall circulation.

Adjust Display Settings: Little changes like tweaking the display settings of digital devices that one uses daily can bring about change. To reduce eye pressure, one can enlarge the fonts and also use the contrast feature to make the text easy on the eyes. Adjusting the screen brightness to match the ambient light and using a blue light filter can further reduce eye strain and improve comfort.

Creating an Eye-Friendly Digital Routine

This is why digital nomads need to take personal responsibility and make strict daily and weekly schedules that ensure they care for their eyes. Adapting these approaches becomes useful in ensuring one follows some standard eye-friendly practices when working in the office. Incorporate several vision-friendly practices in your morning routine.

Include eye exercises like pointing the eyes at a faraway object and moving them from side to side as well as up and down to build the eye muscles. When at work, limit your time on the computer screen and occasionally take some time off your screen. Try to spend time outside the house or workplace or use lamps instead of electricity and other artificial light sources for the eyes.

Another one is the type of diet that should be followed in order to enhance the vitamins and minerals that help eye health. Consuming foods that have omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and flax seeds, and foods with antioxidant properties, like green vegetables and oranges, helps improve eye health. Maintaining a fresh supply of water is also crucial, as a lack of water intake can worsen eye dryness. Additionally, wearing computer glasses can further protect your eyes from harmful blue light exposure.

Eye Health With Computer Glasses

We will end by saying that with the rising trend of digital nomads, it is high time we shed some light on the hardships that stem from hours spent in front of the screen. Through these measures, the concept of digital eye strain can be controlled, and the digital nomad can fully appreciate the flexibility of such a lifestyle.

Following practices such as the 20-20-20 rule, adjusting work area organization, using computer glasses, and eating healthily can be effective in preventing eye strain and maintaining healthy vision overall. Taking regular breaks and optimizing screen settings are also crucial steps. As you read this article, I would like you to keep in mind that your eyes are precious tools, and any measure taken to safeguard them will improve your efficiency, well-being, and experience as a digital nomad. By prioritizing eye health, you can ensure a more productive and enjoyable digital journey.