Top tips to help with your eyesight
Our screen time has significantly increased over the years and during the pandemic, and it has by no means shown signs of decreasing, particularly during the pandemic. Statistics have shown that an incensed daily screen time on the computer has resulted in a general negative impact on the eyesight condition followed by eyestrain.
(Image: Statista)
Using a computer or screen is of course inevitable for today’s working culture, so there are easily implementable things that you can do to ensure that your eye health is the best it can be.
1. Step away from the screen
The tendency to stay on your screen when working from home or just in your general day to day life is extremely tempting and easily done, but adding up all of that screen time isn’t the healthiest way to care for our eye health. Having screen free time and taking a rest is very important. If you spend a lot of time on your computer the 20-20-20 rule is a great method to keep your screen time in check. The rule is that for every 20 minute of screen time, you should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will help relax the eye muscles and can help prevent digital eye strain. And if possible, stepping away from your screen entirely is an effective way to ensure you’re getting some screen free time. Consider getting blue light glasses, which are used to protect your eyes from the screen. This website has a lot of options to consider.
2. You are what you eat
As with so many things, prevention is better than cure and having a well balanced and healthy diet can do just that. This is no different when it comes to eyesight. Eating a varied diet that includes lots of protein, fuit, and vegetables are the types of things you should be fueling your body with nutrients and it will only be good for your eyes.
Foods that are high in omega- 3 fatty acids, such as tuna and salmon are excellent for eye health. Nuts and Legumes, such as walnuts, lentils and peanuts are substantial sources of protein and should also be incorporated into your diet. A general rule of thumb is to make colourful plates for yourself to ensure you have a range of nutrients.
3. Get Moving
Exercise if key to ensuring your body as a whole isn’t stationary all day, which is easily done when on screens all the time. Exercise can prevent high blood pressure and high cholesterol which in turn are diseases that could lead to vision problems. So by exercising you can, not only do you increase the amount of oxygen your brain is getting, but lower the risk of future vision problems. There’s no downside to getting some movement in your day, you could pair this hand in hand with your time away from your screen and go out to go on a walk.
4. Sleep is King
We know that winding down at the end of a long day can often come hand in hand with watching TV or going on our phones in bed, but this isn’t going to help us when trying to get a good night's sleep. Looking at a screen light in the dark can put strain on our eyes and even stimulate our brain so that we’re not in a position to fall into a deep night’s sleep. Try reading before bed and keeping away from screenshots at least an hour before you want to go to sleep.
5. Go and Get Tested
Knowing how to find the right optician or eye doctor is key to keeping on top of your eye health. Getting regular eye tests and keeping updated on your eye conditions is something that many people avoid doing and can lead to being the catalyst for deteriorating eye health and eyesight. Going to an optician can mean that you have peace of mind in knowing that you are doing the right thing for your eyesight. You will have the chance to be able to outline prescriptions or lens requirements you may need This will also ensure that if there are any problems, they will be dealt with sooner rather than later.
When it comes to your eye care prevention is most certainly better than cure and your eyes shouldn’t play second fiddle when it comes to your health.
