Nothing is more fun than picking up a good book before bed and getting lost in a whole new world. Unfortunately, while this is the nighttime routine of many, reading can cause eyestrain. While eyestrain is normal in certain situations, chronic eye strain may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition that needs professional help. Read on to learn how to keep your eyes healthy while reading.
What is Eye Strain?
When we want to read something, our eyes focus on the material. While this process is great in the short term, after an hour or more, it can lead to a burning or itchy feeling, usually accompanied by tiredness (when your eyes just seem to want to close). The eye will not blink as much as it should when you’re reading as well as the constant focusing, leads to eye strain. While the beginning stages of eyestrain can be irritating, continuing reading can lead to double vision, headaches, or pain. Luckily, eyestrain is alleviated once you stop reading.
Tips to Read Without Hurting Your Eyes
Consider Correcting Your Vision
If you have chronic eye strain, you may need to consider correcting your vision. Procedures like LASIK eye surgery can make chronic eye strain a thing of the past, allowing you to get back to reading in no time.
Reduce Screen Time
As more and more people turn to e-readers and tablets to get their reading fix, they’re experiencing eye fatigue. You can reduce eye strain from screens by holding it further away, tilting the screen downward or placing a blue-light-blocking screen cover on your device.
Read in a Well-Lit Area
Far too often, people will read in dimly lit areas, especially if they’re reading before bed. Make sure your light source is behind you to cast light on the pages without interfering with your vision.
Take Breaks
The 20-20-20 rule dictates people should take a break from reading every 20 minutes to view something 20 feet away or at least 20 seconds. This allows the eyes to readjust, relieving them from the constant focus required for reading.
Enlarge Your Print
Whether through a large print book or by adjusting the letter size on your tablet, enlarging your book’s print to a larger size lets you read without straining the eyes for smaller print.
Blink Often
When we focus on small text, our eyes don’t blink as often. This can cause the eyes to dry out, making eyestrain come sooner. Make sure to make an effort to blink so you can read longer.
Consider Artificial Tears
No matter how much we blink or refocus, our eyes will likely become dryer as we continue reading. If you plan on reading for a long stretch of time, consider using artificial tears to keep the eyes comfortable.
Reading is fun and opens up the door to new worlds, but it also can put a lot of strain on the eyes. By following the above tips, you can reduce your eyestrain and read for hours on end. If you suspect you have an underlying condition that worsens or makes eye strain more frequent, talk to your eye doctor.
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