Prepared by: Rachel Spaly
In the age of technology that surrounds us from all sides, eye strain has become a very common condition, as smart devices are at hand in all their forms: smartphones, tablets, and laptops that do not leave our hands and eyes. Long hours of the day are spent happily staring at these screens for work, play, education, socializing and browsing.
The eye is one of the sensitive and delicate organs in the body, and when these devices cause damage, they cannot simply be replaced as a spare part. Unconscious use can cause stress and fatigue and may cause visual impairment that cannot be reversed later, such as myopia and astigmatism, so you must be careful about the extent of your exposure to radiation.
If you are a device addict, follow these steps to keep your eyes safe:
1- Choose high-resolution screens:
It may seem purely technical, but you need to choose the screens you interact with carefully. The more accurate the images emitted from the screens, the more comfortable the eyes will be while browsing, as the eyes will make less effort to clarify the images in front of them.
2- Reduce glare or blue rays:
Use an anti-glare screen with a matte finish to reduce glare from devices. We also recommend using anti-blue light glasses lenses to protect your eyes from harmful rays that cause fatigue. When you next visit your optician, ask him for a prescription for these lenses. To make the most of it, apply both: an anti-glare screen and anti-blue ray lenses to avoid the possibility of eye strain and other associated problems, as mentioned in the introduction to this article.
3- Follow the 20/20/20 rule:
For every 20 minutes of focusing on screens, pause for 20 seconds and stare at something 20 feet (6 meters) away from you. Repeat the steps every 20 minutes.
4- Make sure to have your eyes checked by an optometrist regularly:
Regular screening will help track your visual acuity, and reassure you that your symptoms do not go beyond normal eye strain. Express any concerns you have to your optometrist and tell them your daily habits with the devices. We also advise you to wear glasses as directed by your specialist.
5- Give your eyes and mind a real rest!
If the matter is not urgent and of utmost importance, take a break from work, enjoy life away from technology, communicate with your friends on the ground, practice walking, gather with your family and spend a happy time. Take a vacation from technology and be serious about it.
Remember: prevention is better than cure!