Ten Steps to Visual Longevity

Follow these, Ten Steps To Visual Hygiene to reduce the heightened visual stress this admittedly mostly unavoidable modern near vision predominance produces.

Look up and away from near vision tasks often. Good habits for close work include: Take breaks often. Stand up and stretch, take some deep breaths, get the circulation going and give your eyes a break.

Lighting illumination should be three times brighter than the rest of the room. Do not read under a single lamp. Eliminate all glare.

Sit straight and have your work at eye task level.


Best distance is 14 to 16 inches for adults.



Avoid reclining postures. Sit up right while reading or watching TV in bed.

While writing: Hold your pen at least one inch from the tip so you do not need to tilt your head to see your words as you write.

TV: View at a distance at least 7 times the width of the TV screen.

Participate in outdoor activities that require seeing at a distance.

Eat a diet high in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables all the colors. Supplement with anti-oxidants and botanicals known to promote eye health like lutein, zeaxanthin and bilberry.

  • A) Wear black-gray and green-gray because they allow the full spectrum of colors evenly without distortion.

  • B) Blue is bad for it scatters light. Pink and yellow allow more light and strain the eyes on bright days. Cataracts sufferers should use brown for its softer tones. Polarized means a plastic film between the lenses that cuts off harmful glare and reflection.