My screen headaches

I am a secretary in a big firm where I am always on the computer for most of the day. This habit gives me a headache most of the time and affects my work. Kindly let me know what to do about it.

Amarachi (by SMS)

The brightness from your monitor or electronic device combined with the lighting surrounding you can lead to eyestrain and screen headaches. While it may be difficult to prevent a screen headache, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk.

To minimize eyestrain, which can lead to screen headaches and migraine episodes, keep the lighting in your room — both natural and artificial — balanced with the brightness of the monitor.

Also, consider positioning your screen to avoid glare. Looking away from the screen throughout the workday or while using a screen for entertainment may help reduce eyestrain. That, in turn, may reduce the frequency of migraine episodes or screen headaches.

The 20-20-20 rule is often recommended as a way to reduce eyestrain: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away. While the effectiveness of this method is limited, it may be a helpful tool for remembering to take screen breaks. If you suspect eyestrain is triggering screen headaches and migraine episodes, make sure your monitor is at least 20 to 25 inches from your eyes. Blue light-blocking glasses might help reduce screen headache.

There are better ways to avoid a screen headache, but it doesn’t hurt to try an inexpensive pair. If the glare from your screen is causing eyestrain, consider installing an anti-glare screen on your monitor. Printing out longer documents that you may use more than once can reduce the amount of time you spend in front of a screen. However, it’s not the most environmentally friendly option.

Avoiding screen time is not a reality for many people — especially if you spend the majority of your work hours in front of a monitor. That said, some remedies may help decrease headache and migraine pain and prevent it from getting worse. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen are often the first line of defense for acute migraine attacks.

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