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Computer Eye Strain Treatments
Reduce Computer Eyestrain
Does working at the computer give you a headache? Do your eyes feel gritty and sand-filled after hours spent online?
If so, you may be suffering from computer eyestrain. More specifically, you may be suffering from dry eye which is often brought on by too much computer use.
I am neither a doctor nor anyone else with a medical background; however, I am a person who once suffered debilitating headaches after a mere hour or two of computer use. This webpage is my personal story of the steps I took to discover a cure so that I could return to working daily at my computer without fear of suffering a headache by day's end.
( photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominic at http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photo... )
Room Darkening Window Shades - Remove sun glare: a first step in eyestrain treatment
When I first spoke to my personal healer -- my chiropractor, Dr. C -- he suggested window shades to darken the room in which I use my desktop computer. By eliminating the glare of the sun and other ambient light, he explained that I would have full control over my room's lighting.This was an important bit of information for me -- My computer eyestrain symptoms always worsened in January when the sun rides low along the southern horizon in the northern hemisphere.
The Original Redi Shade 1617201 Black Out blocks all light; perfect for an infant's room, bedrooms and media entertainment rooms. Ideal for metropolitan areas. Stylish pleated look with no cords for added safety; raises and lowers with clips. Trims and installs in seconds; simply trim to fit the width of your window, peel off the adhesive strip and stick into place. At 36-by-72-inches, it fits any size window; for windows smaller than 36-inches wide, trim with a utility knife or for windows wider than 36-inches overlap two or more shades. (product description courtesy of amazon)
Table Lamp - Correct lighting as a computer eyestrain treatment
Dr. C explained that it is important that the computer monitor NOT be the brightest thing in front of me. He suggested I set a common table lamp to one side of my computer monitor. He recommended an ordinary incandescent light bulb over LED lighting. My apologies to the reader; I forget his reasoning. I use a 60-watt bulb and that works well for me.
This Mini Table Lamp from the Lite Source Quatro Collection, with its Brushed Dark Bronze body and Linen Shade, will add style to any home. Lite Source Inc. remains true to its commitment to provide the largest selection of fashion forward lighting that is always in style. From accent lighting and desk lighting to table lamps and ceiling lighting, Lite Source is sure to have a lighting fixture that will fit your lighting needs. (product description courtesy of amazon)
Bilberry Tea - Cures night blindness and computer eyestrain
I love this description from my box of Alvita Bilberry Tea Bags: "...Extensively written about in 16th century herbals, this plant (the bilberry) is native to northern Europe and Asia; with its nearest American counterpart being the huckleberry. During World War II, Royal Air Force pilots swore that eating Bilberry jam prior to night missions significantly improved their visual acuity in the darkness."
I can personally attest to the benefits of bilberry tea. When I was in my early fifties, I had to stop driving at night due to night blindness. My mother had suffered the same malady in her early fifties. (I was to later learn that this is a vision problem that is often handed down from mother to daughter.) That's when I started drinking bilberry tea; within weeks I was able to drive at night once again. I stopped my bilberry regimen once I had no further reason to drive at night. I started drinking it again when Dr. C recommended bilberry tea as a computer eyestrain treatment.
Evening Primrose Oil - Dietary supplement as eyestrain treatment
Evening primrose oil is a dietary supplement rich in the unsaturated fatty acid Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA). GLA is commonly used by women for relief of PMS symptoms; however, Dr. C recommended it for the health of my eyes.
Primrose, although an herb for woman, can be taken by anyone. For men in their 50's who kinda feel slacky , tired, looking for heart healthy things to take, take fish oil everyday and one primrose a week to enhance the fish oil pills. It really works. I order my stuff here on Amazon, great deals and always fresh product. (amazon review courtesy of Bernard)
Jarrow Formulas - Vision Optimizer to reduce eyestrain
Dr. C also helped me choose an additional supplement that includes blackcurrant , B vitamins and Ginko BIlboa among other nutritional supplements. I was willing to try whatever he recommended to get rid or the constant headache from eyestrain.
The amazon product review I include below will provide you with specific details on which supplements are included and how they specifically help maintain healthy eyes.
Vision Optimizer supports visual function and ocular antioxidant status.*Lutein and Zeaxanthin are critical antioxidant carotenoids for the macula of the eyes. Dark green; leafy vegetables include significant amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin reduce age-related increase in the lens' density.*New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract (Ribes nigrum) contains powerful polyphenol antioxidants that reduce eye fatigue and promote eye comfort.*Grape Seed Extract (Vitis vinifera) supports the strength of capillaries and other blood vessels in the eyes.*Alpha Lipoic Acid; Selenium and Vitamin B2 support the antioxidants glutathione and glutathione peroxidase; which protect the eyes' lenses.*Ginkgo Biloba Extract promotes circulation and contains potent free radical scavenging flavonoids known as ginkgoflavonglycosides.*Querce
Flaxseed - Yet another computer eyestrain treatment
I love to sprinkle whole ground flaxseed meal over my morning eggs. Crunchy, nutty and healthful. Away with those symptoms of eyestrain.
I add a tablespoon of this to my cold cereal every morning. Perfect blend of flavor and texture. Not too 'bitey', not too gritty. The flavor is not overpowering but you know it's there. Can even be eaten directly out of the bag, although I would not recommend doing it this way :-) Great as a ice-cream topping too. (amazon customer review by John Nash)
Follow Doctor's Orders
A health professional to oversee your eyestrain treatment
I cannot say enough how important it is NOT to order and take a bunch of supplements on your own without first clearing it with a healthcare professional you trust.
If you are having serious problems with your eyes, I suggest a full workup with an ophthalmologist to rule out anything more serious than eyestrain. My ophthalmologist did tweak my prescription for computer eyeglasses prior to my starting nutritional supplements.
I am fortunate in that both my traditionally trained family physician as well as my chiropractor are on the same page regarding my health care. In fact, both my doctor and chiropractor meet for breakfast one a month to discuss the patients they share. I feel I am in great hands. And best of all, I know that the writing and research of this webpage will not leave me with a headache and gritty, dry eyes.
(photo courtesy of photosearch)
Was this webpage helpful? - Let me know your thoughts on computer eystrain. Thanks.
Very good information here. I have eye strain often from being on the comuter so much.
@Virginia Allain: Joyce - I'm back to reread your suggestions. I'm featuring your page on my Repetitive Motion Problems for Writers.
THIS LENS IS REALLY HELPFUL! I am on the computer almost 24/7. This is really great lens. Thanks for sharing your help on helping computer eyestrain.
thx for your visit and squidlike
I like the contents of this site. I spend many hours on computer especially during weekdays. I like the suggestion to consume bilberry tea and flaxseed. I eat flaxseed every now and then but has yet to try the bilberry prescription.
Prolonged exposure to computer screens and improper lighting would really cause eyestrain. I had astigmatism and was advised by Ophthalmologist to wear eye glasses to reduce stress on my eyes. Thanks for sharing, nice lens! =)
How lucky that your family doc and chiropractor meet to discuss patients. That is dedication! I am so glad you wrote this as I was starting to worry about my eyes - no headaches but I do get blurry and my eyes don't seem to adjust as well to looking at different distances - I went to an eye doctor who found nothing wrong. But I might suggest special computer glasses in addition to my multifocals.
I had never heard of bilberries and did a bit of research and found that blueberries seem to have the same effect on eyesight. Good for me as we can get blueberries here but not bilberries.
So glad you put this out there.
All important tips to keeping your eyes healthy.
With people sticking to their computers day and night, this is what is needed very importantly.
This is certainly a much needed subject because we all know people who work or are active on the computer for long periods of time. I don't believe there's a person out there who couldn't benefit from this lens. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful idea to help all of us computer addicts!
Lots of great information. I'm always at the computer so this is an important topic to me. I love the natural remedies you point out. I really need to get some flax seed! So many benefits to that great stuff.
All the online writers out there, thank you for this information. All the computer addicts that read our writing probably need it too.
Great subject and lens! I knew there must be some way to reduce eyestrain besides focusing on something else every twenty minutes.
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