Being aware of your posture while reading is an important aspect. You should be aware of certain things while reading a book or working on your laptop as continuously doing such tasks can affect your eye health. Working on gadgets constantly can have some side effects like text neck, stiff shoulder muscles, and headaches. To prevent any vision issues, here are some things to keep in mind while using devices.
Sitting straight up
Bending your neck or your back while reading a book, scrolling through your phone, or working on a laptop is a common problem. Especially if you have a desk job that requires you to be working on a computer most part of the day. This can mean slouching down and risking bad posture. You should take appropriate breaks while working to do some mild shoulder and back exercises that can keep the muscles relaxed and stress free. Remind yourself frequently to sit upright and fix your posture. While reading a book, it is recommended that you hold it at a 60-degree angle and 15 inches away from the eyes.
Limiting screen time
This is important while working on your laptop. Most smartphones today have a feature that shows your average screen time. Some of them can even lock you out of social media apps for a certain amount of time to keep you away from the screen. This can be especially helpful since social media can be addictive. Reducing screen time can be extremely beneficial and can help reduce the risk of vision problems.
Lighting is important
Reading in bad lighting can be stressful for your eyes. It can lead to eye strain and frequent headaches. You should always read under proper lighting. This is also important when working on your laptop. The exposure to blue light from the laptop can lead to retina cell damage, which causes complications like age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmologists suggest getting spectacles that block the blue light from the screen and protect your eyes. You can use these even if you have 20/20 vision.
Speak to your doctor if you experience any vision problems like blurred lines while reading, or if you feel dizzy looking at the screen for too long. Doing a few eye exercises can also be helpful.
