I recently went in for an eye exam since it had been almost 4 years since my last one. Yes, I know, once past a certain age it is recommended that you have your vision checked about every 18 months, but since I’m one to push things well beyond their useful lifetime such as cars, appliances, as well as eyeglasses, I kept putting it off.

Let’s face it, shelling out $400 for a new pair of glasses is painful, so if I can delay it, then I will just to save that fairly large expense. However, I couldn’t go any longer with my current prescription since I was having a very difficult time focusing on my computer monitor.

To make matters worse, my eyes were becoming very fatigued from long hours in front of the computer. My eyes were constantly watering and were also very red and irritated.

So I went in for an eye exam.

As to be expected at my age, my distance vision had remained quite stable. It was the closer distances, where reading and computer monitor viewing occur, that my vision had deteriorated.

I’ve been wearing bifocals since around the time I turned 40. It had be suggested to me at my last eye exam 4 years ago that I might want to consider a separate pair of “computer bifocals”. Though the idea sounded interesting, I really wasn’t excited about purchasing yet another pair of expensive glasses. Also, the thought of lugging around another pair of eyeglasses in addition to my regular pair and prescription sunglasses didn’t sit too well with me.

I was envisioning wearing a special holster to carry around all my different pairs of glasses!

When I mentioned to my eye doctor that I was having eye problems when using the computer she told me that this is a very common problem. Apparently, we tend to not blink as much when viewing a computer monitor and studies have verified this. It’s blinking that causes our eyes to produce moisture in the form of tears, which keeps our eyes properly lubricated.

Stop blinking and it’s not long before you’ll start suffering from dry eyes.

So it would appear that the solution to this problem is to just remember to blink more often when on the computer. Unfortunately, that’s a bit harder than trying to walk and chew gum all at the same time. Instead, it’s just easier to take a break from the computer every 30 minutes.

It’s not only good for your eyes, but also for the rest of you. Get up, and take a short stroll or even just stretch out a bit away from your desk.

If taking breaks this frequently isn’t convenient, then at least look away from the monitor at 15 minute intervals and let your eyes focus at something further away.

The other things my eye doctor advised me about are as follows:

* Drink plenty of water - this only makes sense since so much of our bodies are comprised of water and when it comes to our eyes and tears, well they’re just swimming in H2O! Read how I drink more water by using lemon to flavor it.

* Limit your caffeine intake to no more than 3 servings. I didn’t know this, but apparently caffeine causes dehydration. Being a big coffee fan, this one is a little tricky for me to deal with, but at least I’m aware of it now.

* There are eye drops to help with chronic dry eye - but these should only be used as a last resort after the natural methods described above are not sufficient.

My new prescription has gone a long way towards keeping my eyes from getting tired while on the computer. I’m now kicking myself for waiting so long and suffering needlessly. The big lesson I’m taking away from this is to not be cheap when it comes to my health!