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Treating Monitor-Related Eye Strain?

Posted by Cliff on from the reducing-the-risk-of-occular-burnout dept.

bergeron76 asks: "Like many of you, I look at CRT and LCD displays constantly when I'm at work and when I'm at home (and even when I'm in my car). As a result, I was wondering if any of you have any neat ideas or ways to help reduce eye strain and dryness while looking at displays continuously? I've tried vitamins, eye drops, increased blinking, and combinations of glasses / contacts with little success thus far. People make assumptions about me because my eyes are constantly blood-shot, and I'm wondering what I can do to heal my eyes? I recently heard about Punctum Plugs and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them and if they're worth the cost. They're little plugs that reduce the size of your tear ducts so your eyes retain more fluid and stay 'lubed'. Does anyone have any experiences with these or have any other recommendations for reducing eye strain and dryness (aside from not computing)?"

2 of 103 comments (clear)

  1. Invert Your Colors by Asicath · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Invert the color sceme that you use when coding. I use white text on black background, it takes a bit of getting used to, but the difference is well worth it.

    My eyes used to spasm and all sorts of nasty crap before I did this. A monitor is basiclly a large lightbulb, when the screen is mostly white, they will light the whole room.

    The only problem is that many sites use white as a background and look ugly if you force your own colors on them.

  2. Another career threatened by dry eyes by John+Q.+Public · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Just today, the SF Chronicle had a column on Rich Aurilia (baseball player) who is dealing with a similar issue and his hunt for a solution. Since he has far more cash for doctors than I do, his solutions may not match yours but they may help...
    • (for those who don't click through)
    • drops in his eyes
    • two flaxseed oil tablets a day
    • clear wraparound glasses, essentially protective goggles
    • sealed off his tear ducts so that fluid wouldn't drain easily from his eyes
    Sealing off the ducts seems like a radical solution to me. I can't imagine monkeying that much with my body just to avoid dry eyes.
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