Eye strain is very common for a lot of gamers. It results in headaches, particularly when a gamer plays for a long period of time. The American Optometric Association reports that the severity of symptoms is directly related to how much time is spent staring at the computer screen. The more time spent staring at a monitor, the more side effects you are likely to notice. Pre-existing conditions like age-related vision loss, astigmatism, and poor eye coordination can also increase the severity of eye strain.

Vision problems can develop while looking at a screen because your eyes must focus on the rapid movements on the monitor while also dealing with the glare and unnaturally close viewing angles. Gaming also weakens your eye muscles because the human eye is not equipped to focus on fixed locations for extended periods of time. This type of focus can result in the muscles around the eye becoming fatigued and creating a blurry vision.

Tip # 1 – Occasionally Take Breaks from Looking at the Screen

By looking away from the video game screen console occasionally and focusing on an object in the distance, you can significantly help to combat eye strain. For people who play multiplayer games, it is a wise idea to look away from the screen between every multiplayer match or other common intervals in the game. While looking away from the screen, you should focus on the most distant object in the room.

It is also important for gamers to make an effort to blink while gaming because this can help to reduce the risk of developing eye strain. Some gamers also benefit by palming, which involves cupping your hands over your eyes while your elbows are either located on a desk or placed on your knees. In this position, you should focus on your breathing for several minutes to give your eyes an opportunity to relax.

Tip # 2 – Improve Lighting Conditions

It is important to closely examine the lighting situation in which you play games. Keep the room evenly lit and avoid screen glare. If the light is too bright, a gamer might strain and squint at the screen, but if the light is too dark, then you will also experience eye strain because your eyes will be forced to register more in the dark. Many gamers discover that blinds, shades, and window coverings can be used to better control the amount of light that is available in a room during the day. Gamers should also take measures to avoid fluorescent lights.

Create lighting contrast with a monitor by focusing lights at different intensities in specific directions. Gaming in the dark is often a very bad idea because the contrast between the video game’s monitor and the surrounding room is too dramatic.

Tip # 3 – Wear Gaming Glasses

For people with sensitive eyes and those who spend a lot of time gaming, gaming glasses are a good idea. Many professional gamers wear protective glasses to reduce eye strain because these glasses filter out the blue wavelengths given off by computer screens and televisions. They also reduce the amount of glare from the screen.

Tip # 4 – Eat Properly To Help Your Eyesight

To maintain healthy eyes, it is important to follow a healthy diet. Two carotenoid compounds, which have been proven to strengthen your eyesight, are lutein and zeaxanthin, which help stop damaging blue light from reaching your retina. Some of the foods that contain zeaxanthin and lutein include mangos, broccoli, oranges, peaches and dark lettuce.

To keep your eyesight healthy, limit your intake of refined sugars. Obesity and too much sugar consumption have proven in many cases to cause adult-onset or type 2 diabetes, which is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States. This is particularly challenging for many gamers, who like to enjoy something sweet while they are playing marathon sessions of first person shooters or role-playing games. By cutting down on sweets, you can also make sure that your eyesight remains strong.

Tip # 5 – Eye Exercise

There are exercises that a person can practice to improve the strength of their eyes. First, you can imagine tracing a figure 8, several meters away, which has been shown to both strengthen eye muscles and increase flexibility. Focus switching involves holding out your arm with your fist in a thumbs-up position. Relax and breathe comfortably. Extend one arm with a loose fist, with the thumb pointing up. Focus on it. While keeping your eyes trained on it, slowly move the thumb toward your nose until you can no longer focus clearly on it. Pause for a breath or two, and then lengthen the arm back to its original outstretched position, while maintaining focus on the thumb. Repeat up to 10 times.

Tip # 6 – Obtain Assistance With Eye Irritation

No matter what types of safety measures you practice while gaming, it is inevitable that some eye irritation will occur. To reduce eye irritation, make sure that you have an eye kit, which can be used to reduce the symptoms of irritated eyes. Cliradex manufactures several natural products that can be particularly helpful in these situations.