If your eyes feel dry, gritty, tired, or watery at work, your contact lenses may not be the only cause. Your workspace can play a big role in how your eyes feel during the day. Screens, bright lights, fans, air vents, and low humidity can all make dry eye symptoms worse.
The good news is that small changes to your desk setup can help. Below, our Powell eye care team at EyeCare Professionals of Powell discusses simple workspace adjustments that may bring relief to your tired eyes.
Move Your Screen Lower
When your screen is too high, your eyes open wider. This can make your tears dry out faster. Try placing your monitor so the top of the screen is at or just below eye level.
You should be looking slightly down at your screen, not up. This helps your eyelids cover more of your eyes, which may slow tear evaporation.
Keep the Right Screen Distance
Your screen should not be too close to your face. A good rule is to keep it about an arm’s length away. If you have to lean forward to read, increase the text size instead of moving closer.
Larger text can help reduce eye strain and may remind you to relax your face and blink more often.
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
When you work on a computer, you may blink less often without noticing it. Blinking spreads tears across your eyes. Fewer blinks can lead to dryness and burning.
Try the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. During this break, blink slowly a few times. This gives your eyes a short reset.
Reduce Glare on Your Screen
Glare can make you squint and stare harder. That can make your eyes feel more tired and dry.
Adjust your screen so windows are not directly in front of or behind it. Use blinds or curtains if sunlight hits your screen. You can also try an anti-glare screen cover or adjust your screen brightness to match the room.
Your screen should not be much brighter or darker than the area around it.
Move Air Away From Your Face
Airflow is a common dry eye trigger. Fans, heaters, air conditioners, and ceiling vents can dry your tears quickly.
Check where the air is blowing in your workspace. If air is hitting your face, move your chair, adjust the vent, or change the fan direction. In a car or office, aim vents away from your eyes.
Add Moisture to the Air
Dry indoor air can make dry eyes worse, especially in winter or in air-conditioned rooms. A small desktop humidifier may help add moisture to your workspace.
Keep it clean and follow the instructions so it does not grow mold or bacteria.
Use Good Lighting
Dim light can make you strain. Harsh light can cause glare. Both can make screen work harder on your eyes.
Use soft, even lighting when you can. A desk lamp can help, but aim it at your work, not at your eyes or screen.
Take Contact Lens Breaks When Needed
Even if your contacts fit well, your eyes may still need a break during long workdays. Keep a pair of glasses nearby so you can switch out of your contacts when your eyes feel dry or irritated.
Never ignore pain, strong redness, sudden blurry vision, or light sensitivity. These symptoms should be checked by an eye doctor.
When to See an Eye Doctor: Book Your Eye Exam
Workspace changes can help, but they may not solve every dry eye problem. Dry eye can have many causes, including tear quality, allergies, medications, screen use, and eyelid issues.
If dry eyes keep bothering you, schedule an eye exam with EyeCare Professionals of Powell in Powell, OH. Our team can check your eyes, review your contact lenses, and help create a plan for lasting comfort.