Optometrist Ian White from Eye Visits says nearly 80% of the population are using computers, mobile phones and staring intently at some sort of screen or device for more than three hours a day. This Tech Age has taken a toll on our eyesight but there are some simple changes you can make to improve your eye health.
The 20/20/20 rule
If you work for 20 minutes then you should look 20 feet away for 20 seconds, this will give your eyes a rest and relieve strain that may have been building.
Stick a note
Stick a note on your computer screen that reminds you to blink. Studies have shown blink rates reduce by up to 70% when concentrating on a computer screen, which leads to dry and uncomfortable eyes.
Alter the screen
It’s important to position your computer screen to make sure it’s at the correct height and tilted at the right angle for you – this can also improve your posture is positioned correctly.
Clean it
It may seem rather obvious but it’s surprising how many people strain their eyes by looking at dirty, smudged screens or struggle to see through greasy lenses in their glasses. Get into the habit of keeping a pack of cleaning wipes in your desk draw.
Minimise glare
Try to minimise visual glare in your working environment by reducing reflections from fluorescent lighting and having appropriate blinds on nearby windows. For those that wear glasses, ensure you have an anti-reflective coating on your lenses.
Things to look out for
Everyday living puts our eyes under enormous strain but there are certain signs we should not ignore when it comes to our eyes and some symptoms could hint at a more sinister condition and should be investigated explains Ian.
Occasional floating objects in our vision can be a natural sign of ageing. But when these floaters increase suddenly or occur with flashing lights, this can indicate a retinal detachment, which requires you to attend your optician within 24 hours.
Blurry vision can just mean you need to wear glasses for the first time, but if the vision in one of your eyes deteriorates much more than the other, this can indicate a more serious condition of your eyes or even an underlying brain condition and needs to be looked at further by your optometrist or ophthalmologist. Any sort of persistent or intense pain could be a sign of infection and this requires medical attention.
Red or bloodshot eyes can be caused by many things such as allergies or excess dryness, but if there are any other symptoms such as swelling or pus then you need to see your GP/pharmacist as this could be an infection such as conjunctivitis.
About the Author / Gareth Hargreaves
Gareth looks after all editorial content on 50connect. He is the Swiss Army knife of content ideas and production.
