"Imagine yourself in the zone, with lines of code pouring like a logic symphony. Have you ever paused to pay attention to the cloudy whispers of your own eyes amid the virtual orchestra? In the world of developers, where screens are our canvas and coding our language, it's time to hear the urgent call of those unsung heroes – our eyes!"
In this digital age, the developers are the architects of innovation which powers the modern world. But, this innovation doesn't only provide developers a lot of money, but an unseen toll it takes on their eyes too. The screen which paves the way for their creativity can cast a shadow on their well-being leading to digital eye strain.
This blog is all about keeping your eyes safe and good while you work.
What is Eye Strain?
Eye strain is “a feeling of fatigue and soreness that usually happens as a result of extended concentrated activities such as computer work or reading”
Digital Eye Starin
These are self-explanatory words. It is the type of eye strain that occurs specifically as a result of digital use, including prolonged computer, phone, and tablet use. The combination of prolonged, uninterrupted focus on a small, highly visual-demanding object is the primary reason for DES.
How to know, you are getting affected?😖
Burning sensation, redness, or fluctuation in vision due to dryness in the eyes
Difficulty in focusing- when you look at something in the distance. If the eye muscles are strained too much after prolonged screen time, the muscles will go into accommodative spasm, making even your distance vision blurry.
Headache and eyebrow ache
What are the real causing factors?
C'mon, we all know these... but who actually cares!? Here are the top ones, you have to check, right NOW!
Prolonged Screen Time: Extended periods of screen use without breaks can lead to eye fatigue, discomfort, and dryness due to continuous focus and reduced blinking.
Blue Light Exposure: Exposure to the blue light emitted by digital screens can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, and cause eye discomfort and headaches.
Improper Viewing Distances: Viewing screens from incorrect distances can strain eye muscles, resulting in discomfort, blurred vision, and postural issues.
Screen Glare and Reflections: Harsh lighting or glare from windows or overhead lights can create reflections on the screen, leading to eye strain as the eyes work to compensate for the glare.
Inadequate Screen Resolution: Low-resolution screens can make text and images appear less sharp, requiring increased effort from the eyes to interpret content.
Uncorrected Vision Problems: Those who already have vision issues, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, may experience more severe symptoms if they don't wear appropriate corrective lenses while using digital devices.
Workspace Ergonomics: Poor ergonomics, including improper chair and monitor height, can force users into uncomfortable postures that contribute to eye strain.
Prevention- Yes, you need this!
Wear a corrective lens- Always wear a corrective lens, if you have any. And if possible buy anti-reflective glasses and a blue light filter lens.
Eat Well- This one is very underrated, eat food with zinc, fatty acids, lutein, and vitamins C & E, which are all great for your eyes
20-20-20 rule- This rule instructs a simple thing: For every 20 minutes staring at a screen, look away for 20 seconds at a distance of 20 feet
Configuration of the monitor- We all have seen the picture where a person sits before a monitor and tells, what's the correct way to use the computer, yet we never take care of it. Remember to place the screen lower than the eye level to prevent the need for the eyes to lift up towards the screen.
Adequate environment- Always, adjust the room lighting according to the screen brightness, having less screen brightness in a bright room, or having more brightness in a dark room will negatively affect the eyes.
Exercise- Starting at something close by all day is known to cause short-sightedness. So exercising your eyes helps reduce strain on your eyes and keeps them fresh. It strengthens the eye muscles and helps in good breaks.
Eye care for software engineers is vitally important due to the extensive time spent staring at monitors. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution or approach to adopt. Instead, maintaining healthy eyes calls for a holistic approach, necessitating consistent eye care practices throughout the year.
Hope, you take care of your eyes and be the best developer💪
Thanks for reading!🚀✨