They call it Computer Vision Syndrome, sometimes referred to as Digital Eye Strain.
You’re reading this on a computer, smart phone, or some other device that we simply can’t do without these days. They’re handy, fast, and they open up a whole world of information to us. These gadgets have literally changed the world. They’ve also literally changed our eyes.
Most writers use computers to create their stories. Some still use a typewriter or write longhand, but not many. A huge percentage of those computer-using writers have day jobs which require them to use a computer. So, after a full day at work on a computer, added to periodic looks at their phone, combined with writing their stories in front of a computer screen, the eyes get irritated.
By now, I’m sure you know that blue light emitted by these devices causes eye irritation, but that’s not the only thing that makes them hurt. I didn’t know this until the other day, but researchers have found that people blink an average of seven times per minute when they’re looking at a computer screen, smart phone, or a television. The normal blink rate is about 15 times per minute, or about once every four seconds.
Blinking is nature’s way of lubricating our eyes. When the number of blinks is reduced by more than half, the amount of lubricating tears is also reduced, and the eyes dry out. That’s why it can feel like dragging sandpaper across your eyeball when you blink after your eyes are irritated.
That’s also one reason why, at the end of the day, many writers just don’t feel like staring at a manuscript. Their eyes hurt. And when a writer’s eyes hurt, they tend to not write as much, which results in fewer stories for us to read, and, well, we can’t have that, can we?
So, as a public service to ensure future reading material for a story-hungry public, I’ve put together a list of things writers can do to take better care of their eyes. Maybe one of these days I’ll follow my own advice and actually do some of these things.
Use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Take a break of about 15 minutes after every two hours of screen time.
Make sure the screen is at least an arm’s length away from your eyes. The closer a screen is to your eyes, the more the pixelated images force your eyes to work harder than normal, which makes them tired and irritated.
Change the brightness of your screen. It shouldn’t be lighter or darker than its surroundings.
If you wear reading glasses, consider getting a pair of amber-colored lenses that block blue rays, which cause eye irritation.
Increase the device’s refresh rate, if possible. This reduces the amount of flickering of the screen.
If you can, write in the morning when your eyes are fresh. Don’t worry about saving your eyes for work, because writing is far more important in the scheme of things. Your boss will get over it. Maybe.
There’s something else you could do, especially if you like to read. Try reading a book. You know, an actual book. One with pages made of paper.
I know. It sounds crazy. But don’t take my word for it. Just listen to your eyes.