Last updated on July 28th, 2022 at 02:18 pm

 Handy Tips to Relieve Digital Eye Strain

If you are one of the tens of millions of Americans who spend hours in front of a computer screen every day, you’re at risk of developing digital eye strain, which can lead to headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. But there are many ways to reduce the effects of prolonged exposure to digital screens.

Boiron Optique 1 eye drops, a homeopathic medicine, soothes red, dry, itchy, gritty, burning, or tired eyes. Optique 1 also temporarily relieves minor eye irritation due to fatigue or airborne irritants such as ragweed, other pollens, and dust. These eye drops come in single-use doses, so no preservatives are needed. Most over-the-counter eye drops contain preservatives, which can cause inflammation, said Dr. Daniel Isaac, an optometrist who has practiced for more than 30 years in Cherry Hill, N.J. And with single-use doses, there’s no risk of contamination between eyes.

Other homeopathic medicines that can offer relief for eye ailments include:

• Ruta graveolens, which relieves strained ligaments and tendons, including the small ligaments of the eyes.
• Calcarea fluorica, which relieves eyestrain and fatigue characterized by flickering light.
• Euphrasia officinalis, which relieves burning, irritated eyes.
• Silicea, which relieves tired eyes.

Dr. Isaac is a proponent of the American Optometric Association’s “20-20-20 rule” as another method to alleviate digital eye strain. “You should take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes,” he said, adding that it’s also good to get up out of your chair and move around as well.

Another weapon in the fight against digital eye strain are eyeglass lenses that absorb blue light, the type of light associated with digital eye strain. Blue light, which is part of the visible light spectrum, reaches deeper into the eye and its cumulative effect can cause damage. Dr. Isaac said overexposure to blue light has been linked to the development of cataracts and macular degeneration, which can lead to permanent vision loss. “It also interferes with your brain’s production of melatonin, which leads to sleep issues.”

Some electronic devices have settings that can be adjusted to screen out blue light, Dr. Isaac said. Apple and Android devices automatically adjust the colors of your display to the warmer end of the spectrum—making the display easier on your eyes.

Need more info on homeopathic medicines that help relieve a variety of eye strain issues? Download our free Boiron Medicine Finder app.  In just three taps, you can find the right Boiron homeopathic medicine for your individual symptoms.