Ask HN: Do you have any tips on how to preserve your eyesight as a programmer?

I take a break every couple of hours to look out into the distance.

I have great eyesight but I think that little exercise helps more with revealing strain rather than actually preserving anything.

I have worn glasses since a child. Eventually I found I need one set of glasses for computer work and another for the rest of my life. Although I do go around the house using the computer ones, I rarely go outdoors with them.

Oh I forgot, I also have black background when doing code.

I've found two things helpful over the years.

1) Read books. When I'm staring at the monitor for hours my eyes don't move around as much and my eye muscles can get weak which leads to headaches. I've found that simply reading books forces me to move my eyes around enough to correct this.

2) Go for walks outside. When you're walking around outside you'll need to refocus your vision on things at all different distances. This has helped me a lot.

20-20-20 rule: every twenty minutes, look at something at 20 ft away for at least twenty seconds.

Most of the suggestions so far are about short term comfort, I am not sure that there are specific ways for preserving eyesight except for the obvious- keep yourself healthy, periodic general checkups, and personal safety- use eye protection when necessary etc.