Eye Care Tips for the Avid Reader

Focusing on a book for hours on end is not the best for your eyes. If you suffer from eye strain, eye fatigue, or eye stain headaches, follow these eye care tips so you can comfortably continue being a bookworm.

Read in a Well-Lit Room

Lighting is one of the most important factors in avoiding eye strain and fatigue. Reading in a dim-lit area will overstress your eyes by making them work harder to focus. Read in a bright room or use a reading light to shine on the pages so you can read without straining your eyes.

Take Breaks

Give your eyes a break from staring at those black and white pages. Depending on your reading spot, you may also need to give your body a change from being hunched over and stretch out. Stand up and walk around for a few minutes after each hour that you’re reading. This will let your eyes wonder and focus on other things for a bit.

Practice the 20-20-20 Rule

Focusing on a close-up object for long periods of time can take a toll on your eyes. The 20-20-20 rule consists of looking at an object 20 feet away, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. This will give your eyes a break from only focusing on the book in front of you.

Wear Proper Eyewear

If you have to strain your eyes to read even after following these eye care tips above, you may need prescription eyeglasses or readers. For those that already wear glasses and haven’t had an eye exam in a while, you may need to see your eye doctor for an updated prescription.

Avid readers shouldn’t give up on what they love just because of eye strain and fatigue. If you prefer to read on computers or tablets, check out our Eye Care Tips for Computer Users Glasses Guide.