If you spend a lot of time on screens, you need computer glasses!

If you suffer from eye strain while online, you will greatly benefit from blue-light blocking glasses!  The I’ve-been-on-the-computer-too-long-headache is something the majority of photographers struggle with, yet nobody talks about!  We all sit silently dealing with the pain, either hoping it will go away or thinking we’re total hypochondriacs!

You are definitely NOT alone if you find yourself editing and wondering if you need computer glasses!

Let’s be honest, most creative entrepreneurs start their businesses because they truly have a passion and a love for what they do. We spend hours in front of our computers and helping our clients not because we have to, but because we want to – we love this stuff! This type of work ethic is a blessing because it helps us serve our clients well, but it can also be a curse. All too often, that work comes at the expense of time with our families, our OWN health, and the things that truly matter most in our lives.

It’s important we get our priorities set so we can order our lives accordingly. This starts with taking care of ourselves so we can do our work with sparkly excellence while pouring into what matters most.  You might not think this matters…. but knowing how to deal with your computer headache and preventing other common struggles will save you time, stress and money long-term.

How to know if you need computer glasses…

If you aren’t feeling your best physically, everything else is going to fall apart. While the physical effects of an entrepreneurial life can vary, they are almost always the result of working too much and neglecting things like rest, sleep, exercise and good nutrition.  Sound familiar?  A few summers ago, I was doing such a bad job of taking care of myself that I began having some pretty scary symptoms; leading to all kinds of testing, scans and doctors.

If you experience dull achy headaches all the time {but especially after working on the computer}, feel constant pressure and irritation behind your eyes, have blood-shot eyes, or are dizzy and woozy frequently…. you may need blue-light blocking glasses!

via GIPHY

Honestly, if you’ve ever been hung-over – that’s EXACTLY how I felt…. but completely sober.  After lots of time and money spent on appointments and tests, here’s what I discovered: in the medical world, what we have is computer vision eye strain… yeah, that’s a thing… and it’s easily corrected.

Headaches, eye strain, dizziness {I actually heard of one photographer taking Dramamine before she started editing}, and blurry vision are all symptoms!  While the symptoms may mimic those of a bigger issue {talk to your medical professionals to know for sure}, there’s actually a simple, quick fix!

1. Update {or get} Your Eyeglass Prescription

Visit your ophthalmologist and check your prescription.  I discovered that had been prescribed the wrong eyeglass prescription; one twice as powerful as I should have been wearing,  and had been using that for two years!  The eye doc located inside of that store with those fabulous dollar bins is just NOT the same as an eye surgeon or specialist and there is a HUGE difference in ophthalmologists!!!  Don’t trust your eyes to just anyone.  Head straight to an eye specialist or surgeon to get the best care!  Trust me on this one!

2.  Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

First of all.  If you’re old enough to recognize that song, you’re welcome.  If you’re too young to know what I’m talking about…. google it and thank me for the education later.  Anyways.

Ask yourself this question: are my eyes being overworked?  I was spending too much time in front of the computer and, since I was sleep-deprived as well, my eyes literally gave out on me!  If you have a job that requires you to be in front of screens for long periods of time, schedule regular breaks from the screen to let your eyes relax.  Be mindful of how many hours you’re clocking on the computer each day and, when possible, keep the brightness turned down a bit to reduce the intensity of the blue-light.

3.  Understand that Blue Light {from Screens} Impacts your Health

If you get computer headaches frequently, you NEED to do something about it ASAP!  What you may not realize is that all of that blue light from your screens affects your health.  It impacts your sleep, strains your eyes, and causes all kinds of other issues!

Now, it also goes without saying that reducing your screen-time also dramatically impacts how much you may struggle with CVS.  For many of us, however, being on the computer is a necessary part of the job.  So pay attention to your body and find what works for you!

Cute Computer Glasses that will Reduce Your Eye Strain!

The first thing I wanna say is this: if you struggle with CVS, you really should be using blue-light blocking glasses every single time you’re on the computer!  I have a pair on my studio desk, my home desk, and on my nightstand.  That way, no matter where I am, I’ve got a pair handy!  I suggest you do the same!  Additionally, if you sometimes wear glasses, and sometimes wear contacts, you may need multiple pairs!  Let me explain….

Why Pixel Eyewear is My Fave!

I recently discovered this company and absolutely fell in love with their glasses!  Pixel Eyewear is not only determined to help reduce your headaches and eye strain, but they’re also dedicated to helping you look good while you work!  Because cute matters and, I kid you not, every single time I wear my “Thera” glasses in an Instagram story, I get a bunch of messages, asking about them!

Can I use these while editing photos?

Not only do they filter 50% of the blue light and up to 95% at the strongest wavelengths, they also do it without the yellow tint that you see on many of the discount glasses {aka: my nightstand glasses}.  As a photographer, that tint can REALLY affect your editing, especially when you’re correcting white balance, so I greatly appreciate the fact that these glasses are way more photographer friendly!

Now, full disclosure.  I do NOT wear them while color correcting or fine-turning colors, but I DO wear them during the rest of my editing process because they’re that good!

What if I already wear glasses?  Do I need computer glasses too?

What’s beautiful about these glasses is that you can order them with “normal” lenses OR, if your eyes are a hot mess like mine, they can also make them according to your eyeglass prescription!  My eye doc hooked me up with a prescription for glasses that I can wear WITH my contacts because, it turns out, I need modifications when working on screens!

In my day-to-day, I’m near-sighted {which means I can’t see distance} BUT when I’m working on screens {which are very close to my face}, I’m also slightly far-sighted {which means I can’t see things up close without risking eye fatigue}.  Say what?!

Aside from getting bi-focals {hard pass on that one… I’m not that old}, getting blue-light blocking glasses with a little bit of magnification was the best choice for me!  I could have asked my doc to add the blue-light blocking coating to my everyday glasses… but I opted to go for glasses that were specifically for computer work.  So these glasses are a quick and easy fix for you too!

Why Pixel Eyewear?  Why not something else?

Ummm… heck yes, you need these.  I’m going to be honest with you.  I have three pairs of computer glasses and I wear my Pixel glasses the most out of all of them.  While the cheap pair that I got on Amazon kinda does the same thing – they’re NOT at all stylish, they can’t be ordered to match your prescription, and the yellow-orange tint is WAY more noticeable!  Go ahead and compare them for yourself.  It’s not even close.

On top of that, Pixel Eyewear’s shopping and return policy is awesome!  I stole this right off their website, “We have a 30-day risk-free returns for all of our eyewear after the order is delivered. We also offer free exchanges and we provide recommendations based on the fit of the pair you purchased to find a better fitting pair.  For finding the right fit, you can check out our size guide as well as send us a photo of yourself.”

You basically have a personal shopper telling you what will look best on you AND you can return them if they don’t work for you.  But let’s be honest.  You’re going to love them.  {Fun Fact: my graphic designer, Cheri, was making the graphics for this post and loved the glasses so much she already ordered herself a pair!  HA!}

And, if all that wasn’t enough, when you

use code “SPARKLE” at check-out, you’re going to save yourself a little bit of cash on your cute new computer glasses!

If you work in front of the computer all day and get headaches or feel motion sickness while working or editing photos, you owe it to yourself to check out these blue-light blocking glasses!

Getting headaches from working on the computer really sucks… but this is an easy fix!

If you have struggled with headaches while you edit your photos, I’d love to hear from you!  If you’ve found other tricks that work for you, share them with us in the comments below!!!!  Please, please, please help spread the word and help other photographer’s find relief from their headaches!  Use the hot pink buttons, below, to Pin and share on social media!

And, if you’re a photographer or creative entrepreneur – I’m so happy you stopped by!  While today was all about self-care, I also love sharing social media and business tips in my Sparkle Society community!  And, to show you how much I adore ya, I’ve got a FREE Social Media Strategy Guide; full of 30 posts for your photography business!  Seriously.  I’ve outlined an entire month’s worth of posts for you.  So grab some coffee, grab your guide and let’s #glitterdone!