Digital Devices May Cause Eye Strain

Eye pain, fatigue and headaches are common indicators that your digital devices may be causing you discomfort. These devices include computer monitors, TVs, Smart Phones, video games, anything with a lighted screen.

According to recent research with VSP Vision Care eye doctors, 33 percent reported that nearly one third or more of their patients suffer from symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome or digital device-related vision problems. The most common symptoms of patients suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome include eye strain, dry or irritated eyes, fatigue and headaches. Yet, two in three eye doctors report 20 percent or fewer of their patients even know what Computer Vision Syndrome is, showing a low level of understanding of the condition.

It is important for everyone who uses these devices often to get an annual eye exam and discuss their digital usage with their eye doctor. VSP Vision Care recommends the following tips to help lessen the symptoms of computer-related eye strain:

1. Blink often. This will help keep your eyes moist and prevent dry eye.

2. The 20/20/20 Rule: When spending long periods in front of a digital device, every 20 minutes, spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away to allow your eyes to rest.

3. Ensure Proper Lighting: Poor lighting often causes eye strain. To help ease the strain on your eyes, keep bright lighting overhead to a minimum and position your desk lamp to shine on your desk, and not at you. Position your computer screen in a way that reduces reflections and glare from windows or overhead lights.

Pay attention to how you are feeling when you are using these devices, and take these steps to ease eye discomfort. A little prevention goes a long way.

Tips for Your Final Walk-Through

As part of a real estate deal, a final walk-through is always offered. Do not pass it up! Within a week before you close take the time to visit the home you are buying again. Take the time to inspect the items that you may have negotiated to be repaired or changed. Make sure nothing has changed significantly since you were last in the home. It’s helpful to bring your purchase contract with you to check off the items that were supposed to have been taken care of.


Also make sure any items that were promised in the contract are still in the home, such as appliances, window screens, storm doors, remotes, ceiling fans, window treatments, landscaping and fixtures. Make sure that the major systems are properly working such as heating, cooling, plumbing, and hot water heater. Be on the lookout for any damage that wasn’t there before that could have been created in the move, such as holes in the wall or scratches on the floor, and outside damage as well. You are also entitled to a “broom swept” home; you don’t have to accept it’s condition if it is filthy.

You have the right to buy the home in the condition you thought it was in the last time you saw it. Exercise your right to inspect the home and make sure everything is in order, because after the sale has closed, it is not the seller’s responsibility anymore, and nothing can be done about it. Make sure you get what you paid for!

Know Your Budget Before You Buy

There are many things you need to consider before buying a house, however there is one that should take precedence… your budget.


Most people don’t take a good hard look at their budget and crunch numbers before buying a home. It really is the smartest thing you can do to prepare for acquiring a new home. First, add up all of your income, if you are a couple, add together all sources of income, AFTER taxes. Then add up all of your monthly expenses, this includes everything from utility bills, to credit cards, car loans, food, entertainment, dry cleaning, hair cuts, etc. You must take everything into account to see how much you can comfortably spend on a mortgage payment each month.

However, you must also leave enough room in your budget for the expenses of being a homeowner – repairs, appliances, decorating, etc. This will give you a nice buffer when you come across unexpected expenses and it will help you in deciding on whether you can afford the repairs on the “fixer-upper” you thought would be a great deal or go with the one in better shape.

Thoroughly planning a budget will ensure a much more enjoyable homeownership experience.