Almost everyone in my family has had to wear eyeglasses from a pretty young age. My dad said he began wearing them when he was a boy of about 10, while my brothers got theirs when they were in high school. My sister has worn glasses since she was in middle school and she had lasik eye surgery when she was in her 30’s. I have been the lucky duck who didn’t need to wear glasses until I was well into my 40’s. Now that I have been working at home and using a computer every day, my eyes are not what they used to be. At the end of the day, my eyes will sting, I get headaches, neck and shoulder pain and have double vision and sometimes I see little black dots floating in front of me. My eye doctor said this was from staring at my computer screen all day and was called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). He suggested these 6 ways to reduce computer eye strain and save my poor eyes!

1. Positioning Yourself: I was surprised to find how you sit and how your computer is positioned can help reduce computer eye strain. It is recommended you have your screen approximately 4-5 inches below eye level and about 25 inches between your eyes and the screen.
2. Lighting: I was also surprised to find having the curtains open could add glare to your computer screen, therefore making your eyes suffer the consequences. Now I keep the blinds partially opened, reducing the amount of light coming into the room. This has helped tremendously.
3. Take Breaks: This has also made a big difference for me. I make myself get up and take a break, several times a day. This has made my house much cleaner!! I will fold some laundry, do some dishes, etc. and then go back to work. My eyes feel much better and almost refreshed when I take a break.
4. Posture: I have always had poor posture. It drove my mom crazy! As an adult, I have chronic lower back pain from an old injury. My physical therapist told me by sitting up straight, it can relieve that pressure and my back won’t hurt as much at the end of the day. Little did I know, this would also help with my CVS! Good posture helps you reduce that neck, back and shoulder pain from sitting too long at the computer!
5. Dry Eyes: If you get dry eyes like I do from CVS, you can easily correct it. If you blink frequently, you can greatly reduce it. Also, eye drops can help as well. I keep a bottle of saline drops just in case. A few drops can do wonders for those dry, tired eyes!
6. Eyeglasses: If you wear eyeglasses, you probably get eye strain issues anyway. Pair that with CVS, and you can have some dry, tired eyes that need some help! I found if I wear glasses that will help reduce computer eyestrain, I am way ahead of the game. I wear my glasses from Phonetic Computer Eyewear and my eyes have never felt better!

I am loving my Bravo eyeglasses from Phonetic Computer Eyewear! Not only do my eyes feel great at the end of a work day, I look great too! They are so stylish and very lightweight, I barely know I have them on! They have a rounded rectangular frame, come in 7 different colors and sell for just $49. I got mine in a non-prescription strength, but you can send over your prescription and they can make your glasses from that.

The Phonetic Computer Eyewear company got it’s start from a desire for glasses that were fashionable that reduced computer eye strain. In the past, you only had a choice of those gross yellow gaming glasses or a prescription from your eye doctor that were specifically for computer eye wear. With the glasses from Phonetic Eyewear, you get glasses with clear, prescription quality lenses with a special coating to deflect a portion of unwanted blue light you get from your computer. They have a ton of styles to choose from and at affordable prices as well. So, say hello to Phonetic Computer Eyewear and goodbye to computer eyestrain! Be sure to like Phonetic Computer Eyewear on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. One USA reader will win one pair of Phonetic Computer Eyewear, in the winner’s choice of style, ARV $55!