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Show HN: To prevent dry eyes and back pain, I created a macOS app
67 points by cswenshuo on June 5, 2022 | hide | past | favorite | 44 comments
In 2019, I experienced eye soreness and back pain for a while because I was constantly working long hours in front of my 16 inch Macbook without any rest.

I decided to do something to change that. I’m not a fan of Apple Watch or smartbands. So the first thing I did was looking for some reminder software to remind me to take a break in the App Store, but none of them were smart enough for my needs. I wish the software could automatically tell if I was working, rather than requiring me to manually set an alarm. At the same time, when I go to the bathroom or drink coffee, it can automatically increase the time I can continue to work afterward.

So I created Eye Monitor. Eye Monitor is an automatic reminder tool. It judges whether you are using the computer through the use of the mouse and keyboard. (which means when a user is watching Youtube videos, Eye Monitor will consider it as not using computer. I haven't found a solution yet.) Whenever you use it continuously, your fatigue value will increase, and after a period of rest, your fatigue value will decrease automatically. When your fatigue value reaches the threshold you set, it will trigger a reminder (including the dock icon, status bar, notification, full-screen pop-up window, etc.).

After a year of iteration, Eye monitor now has a chart to show your usage of the day. And users now can customize the fatigue threshold, rest duration, reminder interval, reminder style, etc., and even customize the text of the notification (My customized notification text is “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”) or upload your favorite picture as the wallpaper of the full-screen pop-up window.(Not so useful, but I like it.)

I like to set the reminder interval very small, like 1 minute, so that when I turn off the reminder, 1 minute later the reminder will reappear again and I will decide to take a break.

This software is like a bit of a nagging mom, taking the trouble to remind you to rest. I hope you will like it. Here is the App Store URL: [https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/eye-monitor/id1527031341?l=en&...




If you or other commenters have problems with this, consider doing some activities that really get yourself in-tune with what it means to be relaxed. A lot of programmers will run or lift weights, and that is a great way to keep your body functional and physically healthy. But most programmers I know are very out of touch with the other side of physical health--getting in tune with their stress and how to deal with its physical manifestations. Lifting weights in particular can make this harder, because at least for me it makes me used to feeling tense and sore.

The reason I bring this up is that if your baseline emotional state is stressed out, you will be more likely not to notice that being at the computer is making your body feel bad. You will be less likely to take those breaks and stretch what needs stretching and give your eyes a break because you are not aware of what it means to truly feel peace in your body. On the flipside, if you are in tune with what stress is feeling like and what calm relaxation and emotional stillness feels like, you will be less likely to tolerate situations that make your body and mind ache.

Yoga, meditation, and having a really fulfilling sex life are all obvious ways to reduce stress. Working on a healthy upright posture in the full course of your day is helpful too. Less obviously, talk therapy can be helpful if you feel like you can't relax or are anxious and tense all the time--the problem might be deeper than just needing a massage.


OP mentions they’re not a fan of smart watches, but in case you don’t mind wearing one, you can get a pretty good setup with one. I have an Apple Watch and use the Repeat Timer app (pro version) [0], which lets me create a timer that goes off every 20 minutes, and which has a rest interval of 20 seconds before resuming the main timer, which lets me follow the 20/20/20 rule just by paying attention to the vibrations on my watch. You have to remember to turn it on every day, so I use the Reminders app to do that every weekday morning. Overall, I find myself at the end of the day with noticeably less eyestrain.

[0]: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/repeat-timer-looping-reminder/...


Why you are recommending a smartwatch just for a repeat timer? Any smartphone can do (just start the timer again or download an app (I searched there are plenty) or a desktop app


I meant my post more for people who already had a smartwatch, I think. That being said, I prefer the smartwatch experience. Otherwise you have to keep your phone either in your eyesight to see a notification, or you have to have it in your pocket for a vibration. Smartwatch works a little easier IMO.


People who get eye strain from computers: how bright do you keep your screen?

I keep mine low (10–20% brightness) and don't get eye strain, but I'm curious whether that's just me, or if others find high brightness is correlated with strain.


I always keep my monitor's brightness low, and never experience eye strain. My technique is to hold a sheet of white paper up next to the screen, and turn down the display's brightness until a window with a white background appears to be no brighter than the paper.


I keep brightness low as well (and have since forever), but still have eye strain (and have possibly developed some eye issues) and dry eyes.

Supposedly, it's important to keep blinking regularly as well, which I think I do too.

I guess the only option might be to switch to no-backlight screens (eInk or LCDs with reflective screens), but they are pretty expensive for an experiment in any decent size.


I always keep mine about 70-80% brightness cause I think it look clearer. Anyone else feel better with low brightness?


It probably helps if you are just before getting glasses


Same. I keep my room well lit — be it natural or artificial, and keep screen brightness below 40% most of the time, and it really helps.


Windows 10 has a auto dim feature that turns down brightness as sunsets


Using Safe Eyes on Linux with a similar effect. I enjoy it, especially asking friends to add nice and healthy messages https://slgobinath.github.io/SafeEyes/


This looks great, thanks.


I still can't believe so many people work on a laptop all day. It puts an unbelievable amount of pressure on your neck causing all kinds of problems.

If you can set the top of your screen a little above eye level.


I asked some groupmates if they worked on their laptops all day, since they were complaining about having sore necks and backs. They looked at ME like I was stupid and said “uhh… of course, what do you mean?”


I wanted to give my eyes a rest while working. Opthalmologists and optometrists recommend every 20 minutes, look at something 20 ft away for 20 seconds.

I found an app to do so. Like your app, it has a big full screen break, and some way to tell you to you your break was incoming.

I found two things: first, the full screen thing was jarring and too much (also I had to click to dismiss it iirc). I changed the app to use notifications only. It sent a "get ready" notification 5s before, an "ok go". notification before, and a "you're done!" Notification with sound effect after 20s. Each of these notifications cleared after 5s do I didjt have to babysit it.

And secondly, the full version of the app cost $10, which I felt appalled at paying for something that sends notifications every 20m.

I'll definitely take a look at this to see if it's something I could use instead. My eyes definitely felt less tired when taking frequent short breaks, and it gave me some space to reset my thought patterns (sometimes useful when down a debugging rabbit hole)


Time Out [1][2] is a similar app (more info: [3]).

[1]: https://www.dejal.com/timeout/

[2]: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/time-out-break-reminders/id402...

[3]: https://lifehacker.com/make-sure-you-take-work-breaks-with-t...


Check out Stretchly as well: https://hovancik.net/stretchly/

"Stretchly is a cross-platform open source app that reminds you to take breaks when working on your computer."

It's open source, binaries are available for macOS, Windows, Linux and FreeBSD, and users can write custom prompt messages (in addition to the standard ones about stretching, taking breaks, and eye strain).


There are many such “pause reminder” apps, but the issue is that they either don’t measure actual activity at all, or not usefully. Personally, I would need something geared towards keyboard RSI prevention, where it makes a big difference whether I’m reading documentation with low-frequency key presses or whether I’m hacking code or writing documentation with a high WPM count.


Start consuming an oral hyluronic acid pill twice a day. This should be the very first line treatment for dry eyes.

Then try out a lid cleaning regime.

To help and protect your insufficient eyes, take as many preservative free drops as you can. Never use eye drops with preservatives.

Also, apply occulsr vitamin A+E healing ointment all over the outside of your eyes before sleep.

If you do all this I guarantee you your dry eyes will be better in a few days.


This is all nice and all but if you don't change you pillow-case everyday (every other in the worst case) then you are just wasting time and money.

Sound ridiculous at first (who doesn't change them often?!) but many doesn't have a rigid schedule to change the bed and if something happens (tired, absent minded, bar etc) it quickly starts to accumulate.


Daily pillow case changing did nothing for me. What‘s the science behind it?

Mites, mite feces? In that case, if it’s an allergy, loratadin or cetirizine might be the solution.


> Daily pillow case changing did nothing for me. What‘s the science behind it?

You rub your sweat and skin oils and skin particles onto it (and eyelashes and hairs).

If it doesn't change anything for you means you are okay with a less tight schedule. For me it works, if I forgot to change it I would feel it on the next morning.

Your advice appears plausible (never did it so I can't vouch for it) but for anyone else the regular and often pillow case change is the first thing what should be checked and tested.

> Mites, mite feces? In that case, if it’s an allergy, loratadin or cetirizine might be the solution.

BTW for a person without an allergy (well, at least a diagnosed one) it is easy to test if the antihistamines help.


All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy … an excellent track to work to, as it so happens. (The whole album is great.)

HVOB: Jack https://music.apple.com/au/album/jack/1528144298?i=152814431...


Tangent/Shamless plug

I created a browser extension [0] for myself to deal with this problem. I have been using this for past 6 years and so far I was able to deal with this particular problem.

[0] - https://remindoro.app


I’ve used MacBreakZ for four years after having shoulder problems. Sounds similar, but I’ll check your app later.

https://www.publicspace.net/MacBreakZ/


I highly recommend trying natural light and bright rooms. I can notice a big difference in strain after working 10 hours in a dim room or under harsh fluorescent lights compared to working outside or next to large window for light.


Dry eyes can be a symptom of an autoimmune condition. Was shocked to discover that it was an early symptom that I had been ignoring for 10 years.


How did you end up discovering the full issue?


Made a four page list of the really weird symptoms I had. Visited 3 dozen doctors. One Neuro-ophthalmologist read the list and asked if I had dry eyes.

I said no. He did a tear test that I failed. My eyes had been dry so long I stopped noticing.

Declared I had Sjogrens. Later testing by a rheumatologist confirmed it. Treatments showed immediate improvement.

20 years from my initial compliant. 3 years intense appointments and doctors dismissing me as a hypochondriac. Normal diagnosis time for Sjogrens is 7 years. Though that is improving


Don't mean to hijack the thread but would like to share what I know about dry eyes.

I used to work at an Ophthalmology center and we treated dry eye all the time. It is pretty common for people who have had refractive surgery (LASIK/PRK) and postnatal women. To remedy dry eyes obviously first comes preservative-free artificial tear drops. The brand that I like to recommend is called Optase[1]. Their products are much higher quality than Refresh or Systane. Made in the EU. Lubricating ointment at night is also great, Optase also has an ointment as well.

Next you can go to an ophthalmologist and have them place punctal plugs in your tear ducts to retain more moisture. Super easy, done right in the exam chair on the slit lamp, takes 5 seconds, no pain. Just don't be anxious about the Dr coming near your eye. They dissolve in a few months and then you need to repeat if you find that it works. Tell them to use the longest lasting ones they have, but don't get non-dissolvable. Practices obviously make money the sooner you come back so they will probably try shorter span if you don't mention anything. There are also permanent ones but Drs have told me they can lead to issues so I don't want to recommend this. However it is available if you so desire.

Lowering monitor brightness personally helps me. I try to stay under 40%. Taking breaks is the best habit to build and someone mentioned the 20/20/20 break: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 ft away for 20 seconds.

If your case is severe, talk to an Ophthalmologist to get a prescription for Restasis or Cequa, generic is Cyclosporine. They are drops designed to increase your natural tears over the course of 4-6 months of use, twice a day. Really annoying and stinging drops but this is an option. Can be expensive, try to find the generic. This company ImprimisRx[2] sells it for $60/bottle and whatever the ophthalmologist will charge you over that if they are greedy. It's the Klarity-C drop.

Other things you can research are Amniotic Membranes and a multitude of Eyelid heating treatments. These are more expensive and results are not so permanent. You can buy heat masks as well for home use, I'd recommend that instead. Optase also sells this but I'm sure there are others.

Someone mentioned an oral hyluronic supplement but I haven't heard of this, I'm going to ask an ophthalmologist and see what they say.

While I'm here if I can help anyone here from some macular degeneration in your later years I'd like to. If you're over 50 years of age I would recommend spending on eye vitamins[3], even once every few months is better than nothing. Don't mean to peddle fear but this pathology is _not_ fun if you get it. Visit an ophthalmologist for a retina exam once a year after 60 years of age. Every 4-6 months after 70. After you get cataracts done around the same age and have wonderful sight, this can ruin everything. If you plan to use a computer past the age of 80 this is a good precautionary step to take. General retinal advice for anyone: if you see a ton of flashing lights like fireworks to go a retina specialist ASAP.

Also if you are african american please go to an ophthalmologist or optometrist who has a Visual Field test for glaucoma once a year. You probably already know but your genetics are predisposed for this terrible pathology. You must go every year for this test no matter your age! General glaucoma advice for all 50 and older folks: Get a visual field test done every year. If you see a black veil or curtain start to form over your vision from the sides or anywhere go to a glaucoma ophthalmologist immediately.

[1] https://optase.com , can be purchased from Amazon, Walmart, and they say Walgreens pharmacy carries it as well.

[2] https://www.imprimisrx.com/totaltears/

[3] PreserVision AREDS 2


I wouldn't recommend buying anything health-related on Amazon due to inventory commingling and their complicity with counterfeiters.

As a rule, unless you have the skills and equipment necessary to evaluate the legitimacy and safety of the product you receive, don't buy it.

For electronics it's usually pretty easy for us HN users, but for this kind of product you'd need an entire lab to be able to tell whether what you got is actually real (and safe) or a knockoff/contaminated/expired.


I'll update my post about other places to purchase. If anyone wants them directly shipped from an ophthalmologist you can email me and I can link you to one in LA. Will be more expensive probably to cover shipping.

blank5 at fastmail


To paraphrase: "I poke myself in the eye with a fork all day and it hurts, so I built an app that detects when I'm doing it and gives me a pop-up reminding me not to poke myself in the eye with a fork so much"

Seriously, though, if you're spending all day hunched over a tiny laptop screen working, the answer is not an app - the answer is to get yourself a proper keyboard and chair and monitor. Your back and wrists and eyes will thank you.


Yep. I bought a new ergonomic chair and a new 4K monitor last year. My back pain disappeared soon, but my eyes still feel bad sometimes if I work continuously too often, like 4 hours x 2 per day. But if I take some break regularly, they will feel better. Now my configuration of Eye Monitor is working 40 mins with 5 mins break.


This is not understood well until one actually invests in a simple setup.

And, I am so glad I did. I can genuinely work all day sitting comfortably in my chair with a three monitor setup with a keyboard at a proper distance if I have to.


Same issues sitting or standing at a large monitor all day


It doesn't make a big difference to work in front of a 13' inch laptop than to work in front of a 27' inch monitor. The problem is the same: too much screen time.


The position of the screen is important, and it's a lot easier to position correctly a 27 inch monitor than a 13 inch laptop. A properly fitting chair and desk, ergonomic keyboard and mouse, all of this can make a noticeable difference, I promise.

About four years ago I started to have some mild wrist and lower back discomfort, especially after working long hours... I decided to improve my work setup because that was the easiest thing to fix without changing my habits. Since then all discomfort was gone and haven't had any issues even though I still spend way too many hours on the computer. I know I should still change my habits, especially since I'm starting to notice I don't feel quite as young any more, but don't discount the difference a good desk setup and posture can make.


There is such a thing as eye muscles. And like every muscle they like it when you move them from time to time.

Make sure to put your monitor into a room where you can look easily past it into something on a different distance. Just so that every once in a while. Bonus points if you develope a feeling for what movements your eye muscles like to do right now.

I am in front of a screen for 20 years now, and I have perfect eye sight doing just that. I never had hurting eyes from computers during that time.

The key is to listen to the signs your body gives you and not ignoring them. Sounds simple, but is actually hard if you formed a habit of suppressing your body/needs.


It made a huge difference for me.

I suffered years of pain from a crinked neck, sore back, herniated gut, swollen leg veins, strained wrist (RSI), and dry eyes.

Step by step, I solved the problems. (In matching order:) Higher monitors, standing desk, ergonomic chair, standing desk, better peripherals, dimmed screen (using f.lux).

The key is gradually changing things until you find local maxima that work for you. If it hurts in a new way, change again. If the same hurt comes back, intensify the change.

It’s not as simple as “too much screen time.” I spend far more time in front a screen now compared to before, and yet suffer far less.


matte display vs. glossy display seems to make a difference for me (at least psychologically). matte feels cooler and is less harsh on my eyes.


This is not completely true.

When the monitor is at the correct hight it will put less strain on the neck.

In the neck are also nerves that are related to sight. A tight neck can also cause visual problems.


I think the point is not the size but the resolution ratio of the screen. A 13' inch 4k screen will be much better for your eyes than a 27' inch 1080P screen.

But no matter how good the screen is, too much screen time will still hurt your eyes.




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