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3 tips to prevent eye

strain caused by staring

at devices too long

by Maria Gracia Join our newsletter to be notified when the newest Dirty Little Secret is available. If you spend a whole lot of time staring at your computer monitor, tablet, or smart phone, chances are you’re going to end the day with tired, strained eyes. To prevent this… • Be sure you’re blinking. Typically, when people are looking at a device, they blink 1/3 less times than they would when they’re not staring into a screen. This causes dry eyes and eye- strain. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and consciously blink 10 times. • Don’t sit so close. Remember the old days when mom used to say, “don’t sit too close to the TV”? Well, she was right. Your device should sit just below eye level, and be about one arm’s length (20 to 28 inches) away from your face. If that’s too far for you to read the words on your device, you may need a new eyeglass prescription…or you can try increasing the font/display size on your device. • Adjust the lighting. Avoid glare by ensuring light isn’t being directed behind or in front of your screen. Natural light, or light from lamps, should be coming in on either side of your monitor/device. Back to Dirty Little Secrets Index