Office eye syndrome - this is how you can prevent it!
Updated onLuise Heine has been an editor at since 2012. The qualified biologist studied in Regensburg and Brisbane (Australia) and gained experience as a journalist in television, in the Ratgeber-Verlag and in a print magazine. In addition to her work at , she also writes for children, for example for the Stuttgarter Kinderzeitung, and has her own breakfast blog, “Kuchen zum Frühstück”.
More posts by Luise Heine All content is checked by medical journalists.Dry, burning eyes and blurred vision - everyday work on the computer is a pain in the ass. Here you can find out what is behind the "Office Eye Syndrome" and how you can remedy the situation in everyday office life or in the home office.
Working on the screen is part of everyday life for many people - in the office or in the home office. The home office in particular has become more important for many professionals, students and also for many schoolchildren. According to the assessment of the professional association of ophthalmologists, this shift in front of the home monitor leads to increased side effects: tired, dry or even burning eyes.
What is Office Eye Syndrome?
The eye does the hard work in front of the computer. The concentrated gaze, among other things, reduces the blinking frequency, which means that the tear film is no longer distributed as well on the surface of the eye.
If there is also dry, warm office air or unfavorable lighting conditions in the home office, this causes problems for the cornea of the eye. It is not only contact lens wearers who start rubbing their eyes constantly under these conditions.
Eye problems such as burning, itching and feelings of dryness as a result of PC work are also referred to by experts as "office eye syndrome". According to the assessment of the professional association of ophthalmologists, four out of five people who sit at their PC for several hours a day are familiar with this condition.
The lack of moisture is not only uncomfortable, it can also have serious consequences. Because a cornea that is too dry is more prone to injuries. Foreign bodies are also no longer washed away as well. Infections are also more likely: bacteria find it easier to overcome the eye's natural defense mechanisms - this can trigger conjunctivitis.
H2: Office Eye Syndrome: How to Prevent!
The motto is to take countermeasures in good time. There are a number of tips that you can easily apply to please your eyes.
Blink more often and take breaks
Blinking consciously more often while working on the screen is a good start.
Regular breaks - preferably in the fresh air - are also advisable. Not only are they good for your concentration, but also for your eyes.Just as important: drink enough, it is also a relief for your eyes.
Improve the indoor climate
Does an air conditioning system ensure the right temperature in your office? Then this should be adjusted as draft-free as possible. Plants ensure good humidity and visual highlights, advises the professional association of ophthalmologists.
In the home office, ventilation is refreshing: you should therefore ensure a regular exchange of air by opening all windows for a few minutes.
Align the workplace correctly
In addition, you should arrange your workspace so that it is easier for your eyes. Starting with the screen: it should be positioned so that you look down slightly to capture the image on it. The distance between your eyes and the monitor should be between 50 and 80 centimeters.
It is stressful for the eyes when the monitor is set up parallel to the window. Both when you have to look up against the light to see the screen and when there is reflections through a window in your back. Therefore, the general recommendation is to install the monitor at a right angle to the window.
Pay attention to the lighting
Daylight is considered to be the optimal lighting for your workplace, but very few can rely on it all day. You should therefore ensure that there is sufficient, but not too strong, lighting, for example by means of a mix of indirect (e.g. on the ceiling) and direct lighting (desk lamp) - ideally arranged to the side of the desk.
Artificial tears
Those who already suffer from dry eyes use tear substitutes. It takes away the feeling of dryness in the eyes. Before you resort to artificial tears, however, you should speak to an ophthalmologist.
Tags: interview vaccinations prevention
