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World Sight Day 2020: Excessive use of digital screens can affect your vision
Highlight
- Reduce your screen time throughout the day
- A healthy diet can help you ensure good vision.
- Too much screen time can cause blurred vision
World Sight Day is celebrated every second Thursday in October of each year. This day tries to create a global awareness about visual impairment and blindness. The majority of the population suffering from eye diseases around the world can prevent them with the right measures. The theme of World Sight Day 2020 is ‘hope in sight’. Since, most of the activities throughout the day are done online, be it at work, entertainment or to stay connected with friends. This dependence on devices worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to an increase in incidents of computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain which usually presents as one or more of the following symptoms: headache, tiredness, eye strain or pain, blurred and itchy vision, red eyes . On the occasion of World Sight Day 2020, here are some tips to minimize digital eyestrain and these will help you protect your eyes from excessive device use.
World Sight Day 2020: Tips to Reduce Digital Eyestrain
1. 20-20-20 rule
Take frequent breaks when working on a display device. You should look away from the screen every 20 minutes and close your eyes for 20 seconds. Then open your eyes and look at something far away at least 20 feet away.
World Sight Day 2020: Let Your Eyes Get Enough Rest While Using Digital Screens
Photo credit: iStock
2. Optimize your monitors
Lower the brightness on your display devices. Also, adjust the colors to decrease blue light, which is associated with increased eyestrain. You may want to switch to night mode.
Also Read: 5 Nutrients You Shouldn’t Miss To Maintain Healthy Eyesight
3. Blinks more often
When you focus especially on bright screens, the flicker rate decreases. This means that the eyes are not getting adequate lubrication, leading to dry eyes. This results in tired, gritty, and sore eyes. Therefore, you must actively remember to blink more often.
Also read: Learn about the causes, treatment and prevention of visual impairment from an expert
4. Position the screen to the right
Make sure the computer screen is at least 22-28 inches away. In addition to this, the center of the screen should be about 10-15 degrees below eye level and you should be sitting in a chair with your arms supported.
Sight Day 2020: Put the screen in position to avoid digital eyestrain
Photo credit: iStock
5. Wear your glasses
Be sure to wear the proper glasses when using your computer screens. Make sure your prescription is up to date. For this, an annual eye check is essential.
Also read: Expert explains how excessive screen time can affect your eyes
6. Visit your doctor
If your symptoms persist or get worse, visit your eye doctor. Talk to your doctor if you need an in-person consultation or if a teleconsultation will work for your problems. Please continue with your medication as prescribed, please do not hesitate to reach out in case you need any clarification.
(Dr. Shibal Bhartiya, Fortis Memorial Research Institute Eye Consultant)
Disclaimer: This content, which includes tips, only provides generic information. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV is not responsible for this information.
