Hygiene is defined as a way to prevent disease and maintain health such as keeping our hands clean so that we don’t catch a cold. Hygiene is also important for your eyes, especially as we are spending more time with electronics throughout the day.
Read more to find out about visual hygiene and what you can do to keep your eyes healthy and strong!
What is Visual Hygiene?
A set of rules that can control the factors that may be harmful to vision
Tips:
- Do not read longer than 10 mins without looking up and at a distant target
- Tilt all reading material up about 20 degrees
- Take study breaks when doing near work or on the computer every 20 mins. Stand up and move for about 5 mins
- Use an upright seated posture while reading, on the computer or when watching television
- Use the Harmon Distance when reading, writing, or doing other close work
- The distance from the eyes and the task should be between the elbow and the middle knuckle. (Dr. Darrell Boyd Harmon’s “Harmon Distance)
- You should be able to see objects in the periphery when reading
- Use good lighting on near tasks are overall good lighting in the room
- Do not sit closer to your television than 6-8 feet and 20-30 inches from your computer
- Spend time outdoors and focus on different distances
If you or a loved one may be in need of physical, occupational, or speech therapy please call today at 586-323-2957.
Written by: Tiffany Sinovic, MS, OTR/L
