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Monday, October 8, 2012

Electronic Screens & Comfort

People's increasing dependency on screens is a growing topic of conversation in modern times, and it is easy to see why. To begin with, more and more jobs are being put onto the Internet and into computers, meaning that work that used to be done with paper and pen now requires employees to look at screens all day. However, the issue actually extends a good deal further than the workplace for many people. Thanks to the rapid spread of smart phones, smart tablets, and even advanced laptop computers, many people continue to stare at electronic screens even when they are away from the office. The simple fact is, our lives can now be run largely from these various screens, and they offer incredible convenience. But are they healthy?

Debating the overall health effects of staring at electronic screens all day involves a number of factors. It is likely that the most important of these factors is to determine whether dependency on screens is making people more stationary and less active. However, the easiest health risk to identify, and the simplest problem to address, is that looking at electronic screens for hours at a time can easily cause eye irritation, which can be painful on its own and can ultimately lead to headaches. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to avoid this problem without giving up your use of computers and other electronic devices.

The simplest way to avoid the problem is simply to spend less time at computer screens, and this can be surprisingly easy to accomplish. For example, if you work in a job in which you use a computer all day, a simple five or ten minute break every hour during which you leave your desk can greatly alleviate eye strain. Additionally, these types of short breaks are said to improve productivity in general, which means your work shouldn't suffer as a result. For that matter, even when you are sitting at your desk, the best way to alleviate eye stress is actually to simply sit farther from your screen! It is generally recommended that you keep at least two feed of space between your eyes and the screen, as this allows your eyes and head to relax a bit.

If in addition to these tactics you are still looking for a way for your eyes to keep up with your work and recreation, both in terms of comfort and performance, you may want to consider switching to new contact lenses. For example, ACUVUE® contact lenses can offer you a wonderful combination of flawless vision and comfort, which can be very beneficial if you spend a great deal of time in front of screens. If you keep your eyes comfortable in general, then you will simply be better equipped to deal with the strains of today's work environments, and combining reliable contact lenses with comfortable strategies can have very noticeable benefits.

Brad Dalton is a freelance writer who covers a wide range of technology topics.