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Ask HN: Please share tips and strategies for dealing with eye strain

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Re: Ask HN: Please share tips and strategies for dealing with eye strain

#41

Post by berelig »

powersnail wrote: post #40

My ophthalmologist recommends not using eye drops long term (except possibly artificial tears), unless you are treating something. One of the most effective tactic is to not stare at your monitor all the time. Close your eyes or look outside a window between your pomodoros. Get your eyes checked and make sure you have the right lenses if you need any. Definitely sleep more. Don’t work on a bright monitor (or playing…

Mine had a similar recommendation about eye drops and additionally strongly advised me to never use drops with vasoconstrictors like Visene.

Re: Ask HN: Please share tips and strategies for dealing with eye strain

#42

Post by jjtheblunt »

I've always found using varying fonts and font sizes very useful (for 30+ years, starting with X11 on Suns).

i also loathe (or rather my eyesight does) the Apple font rendering with antialiasing, and forced zoom on laptop displays so native resolution isn't offered, but Windows 11 (probably earlier versions too) and Linux (fedora and arch at least, daily driver on Apple hardware) font rendering feels great.

Re: Ask HN: Please share tips and strategies for dealing with eye strain

#43

Post by youniverse »

berelig wrote: post #41
powersnail wrote: post #40

My ophthalmologist recommends not using eye drops long term (except possibly artificial tears), unless you are treating something. One of the most effective tactic is to not stare at your monitor all the time. Close your eyes or look outside a window between your pomodoros. Get your eyes checked and make sure you have the right lenses if you need any. Definitely sleep more. Don’t work on a bright monitor (or playing…

Mine had a similar recommendation about eye drops and additionally strongly advised me to never use drops with vasoconstrictors like Visene.

A better solution for redness is asking them to prescribe you some NSAID like Ketorolac (generic) or Prolensa (brand). Tell them your eyes get red/inflamed sometimes and they should give it to you. Very safe drop to even use for a few weeks straight so it's a great to have around for say a party/date/event where your eyes are bloodshot for some reason.

Of course if you have pain or feel something is wrong do not use this to mask it, go in for a check.

Re: Ask HN: Please share tips and strategies for dealing with eye strain

#46

Post by CatWChainsaw »

I recently had a scare regarding glaucoma, which caused anxiety, which caused me to do web searches on similar lines.

Anxiety over eye strain can cause a positive feedback loop, because anxiety can make you more aware of your eye strain, which can make you more anxious.

To add on to other comments without repeating them, I have a small humidifier now (prevent dry eyes). Some nutrients that are supposed to improve eye health are lutein and zeaxanthin (kale, broccoli, grapes, etc), resveratol (grapes, blueberries, peanuts), and omega-3s (walnuts, flaxseed, fish especially salmon).

I also started eating fresh pineapple because there's some anecdotes that it might help prevent floaters, and I already have a couple at age 30 (probably because of my extreme myopia); I've also heard that fresh pineapple can help with arthritis.

Re: Ask HN: Please share tips and strategies for dealing with eye strain

#47

Post by wobbly_bush »

Others have covered what you can do with work. On top of that - do take note of amount of screen time you have outside of work. Like scrolling on the phone, TV for entertainment, etc. While this is not for everyone, reducing my non-work screen time has helped me a lot with eye strain (I can't comment about the red eyes part though). Audiobooks let me physically relax after work, along with removing/restricting any scrolling-based apps on the phone.

Re: Ask HN: Please share tips and strategies for dealing with eye strain

#49

Post by AmorMuto »

have you tried polyvagal release techniques? Basically you use your eye movement to stretch your vagus nerve and reset your nervous system. (look left / right as far as you can without rotating your head - keep looking to one side until you yawn/swallow/sigh, then switch - can take up to two min's per side)

Re: Ask HN: Please share tips and strategies for dealing with eye strain

#50

Post by deterministic »

I use a stop watch and take a break every hour. I do some light exercises, drink water, go for a short walk etc.

I ended up being more productive doing this. Because it gives me time to take a step back and think about what I are working on. I often find solutions to problems while taking a break.

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