Looking after our eyes is now more important than ever
During a lockdown, many of us will experience an increase in screen time. Whether you are working from home or spending more time scrolling through your phone, here are five tips on how to keep your eyes healthy:
Follow the 20-20-20 rule
The blue light emitting from the screens of computers, laptops and smartphones can be harmful to your eyes if you are using them for extended periods of time. This is because they have the highest energy wavelength of visible light, penetrating right through the eye’s natural filters. For every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break from your device and look at distant objects which are 20 feet (or 6 metres) away.
Follow a balanced diet
Consume a balanced diet that gives your eyes the nutrition they need. For optimum eye health it is important to incorporate omega 3 rich foods such as fish, flax seeds and walnuts. Leafy vegetables, eggs, dairy products, carrots, almonds and fruits are also good for maintaining healthy eyes.
Being sun smart
Those who spend a lot of time in the sun, and even those who don’t, should be mindful of what UV rays can do to vision. Too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun, can be harmful to your eyes and the skin around your eyes. Consider wearing sunglasses when outside in summer for prolonged periods.
Staying screen smart
Dry eye is a very common condition, particularly given the time the average person spends looking at a screen. Thankfully there are several products on the market specifically made to relieve dry eyes including lubricating eye drops. Remember to ablink regularly when reading or using computer or tablet screens.
Maintain proper lighting
The lighting of the room you are working in should be taken into consideration. Make sure your screen brightness is the same intensity as the lighting of the room you are working in so your eyes aren’t working harder to focus on your screen.
If you are concerned about changes to your vision during lockdown, call us at (08) 9381 0777.
Source: https://www.centralvisionopticians.co.uk/6-tips-to-protect-your-eyes-during-lockdown/
