5 tips to prevent 'square eyes' from too much tech use

Looking at a computer, tablet or smartphone screen for longer hours may ruin your eyesight, says experts who have also suggested five tips to prevent it.

A recent research by body+soul and OPSM has found Nearly 60 per cent of Australians spend up to eight hours a day looking at a screen, News.com.au reported.

If you spend a lot of time using a computer, dim lighting can help minimise eyestrain. To protect from this experts have suggested to use dimmer bulbs and to position your screen so that you do not have direct window light in front or behind it.

A study from the SUNY State College of Optometry in New York found that smartphone users hold their devices closer to their face than they would hold a book, forcing the eyes to work harder.

As a solution to this problem, smartphone users are advised to minimise the strain by using a font that's easy to read, such as Verdana 12-point, on all devices.

Spending more than two hours a day on a tablet may also put pressure on your neck, shoulders, arms and hands, so experts have suggested using a desktop for longer jobs.

Low contrast text and backgrounds tire the eyes while reading dark text on a light background is easiest.

The bright lights and sharp movements in video games force your eyes to focus and refocus constantly, which causes eyestrain.

Look away for 10 seconds every 10 minutes, use an anti-glare screen, blink often and position your screen below eye level to avoid this, experts added.

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