When concentrating on visually intense tasks, the ciliary muscle tightens, causing the uncomfortable symptoms listed above. The ciliary muscle is a ring of smooth muscle in the eye’s middle layer that controls the ability to view objects at varying distances.
If you’ve ever seen a photograph of yourself playing video games or watching television, you’ll find more often than not that you look something like this 0_0. Being a gamer, I know we are doing this to take in as much information as we can to react as fast and efficiently as possible, but it is incredibly bad for our eyes and brain.
Fortunately there are some things you can do to keep your peepers happy.
- Rest - The number one thing you can do for your eyes is rest them. Allow them to relax and slip out of focus, gently focus from one object to another at varying distances or simply close them.
- Blink - Blink as often as you can remember. When you stare without blinking your eyes dry out and begin to get irritated. Blinking lubricates your eyes with tears, keeping them moist.
- Minimize Glare - When using a computer/tv your ambient light in the room should be half as bright as the screen (not brighter or pitch black). You can also try buying a pair of anti-reflective coated glasses and wear them to protect your eyes.
- “20-20-20” - Every 20 minutes refocus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
If your eyes are already strained and hurting there are a few steps you can take to soothe them…
- Close your eyes and let your face soften. Keep your eyes closed and roll your eyes in circles.
- Rub your palms together fast until they warm, then place them gently over your closed eyes. Softly hold them there until the heat dissipates.
- Run a washcloth under hot or cold water (whichever you prefer). Gently hold over your eyes.
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