Ask Dr Miriam

Q

I spend most of my day looking a computer screen and my eyes get tired, achy and sore. How can I do relieve this?

A

With increased computer use, eye fatigue is becoming more common - and this is because we’re not treating our eyes right.

The eyes require us to blink every few seconds to wash the eyeball with tears and keep it lubricated. When we stare at a screen we can stop blinking for as long as 10-15 seconds allowing the eyeball to dry out. This causes the eyes to feel tight, itchy and sore. I have a 20-20-20 rule that I’d like to share with you. If you’re having to sit for long periods in front of your screen look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds or more every 20 minutes. You’ll blink normally and lubricate the eye and you’ll allow your lens to focus at a distance which rests the muscles controlling its shape. So give your eyes a break.