Blame the quarantine, but we are glued to our screens, aren’t we? The time previously spent out in malls, traveling, or dining is now spent in front of the screen. From mobile games to computers, our entertainment has solely turned digital. Frequent episodes of binge-watching have put a lot of strain on our eyes lately. The situation with children is no different. Classrooms are replaced by online learning classes and time spent on the playground is now a ‘Play Station’ time. The point is, screen time has just sky-rocketed, and along with it our eyesight is in danger.
Health doctors have stated time and again that spending too much time in front of the screen can lead to a host of problems, including headaches, macular degeneration, insomnia, and even brain impairment. But the good news is, that it is preventive. Little things such as sound sleep, and blue light glasses can take you a long way when it comes to taking care of your eyes.
How to take care of your eyes during quarantine:
- Use blue filter glasses for screen time
- Ensure to have Vitamin A in your diet
- Adjust your sleep patterns
- Practice good hygiene
- No more than a few hours of screen time for kids
Use blue filter glasses for screen time
Screen time can’t be completely avoided. But dialing down the screen time can aid in reducing many symptoms of digital eye strain, such as headaches, tired eyes, and blurry vision. Set time limits for screen time and keep a check. Slowly inching your way down will ultimately let you incorporate other healthy activities in your life. Let us get to know first what exactly is blue light.
What is blue light?
Many of you might be aware of the term “blue light.” Though it is environmentally friendly, it can largely affect sleeping patterns. Blue wavelengths are beneficial during daylight since it is known to boost attention and mood. However, the blue light turns disruptive at night. The surrounding electronics and gadgets are increasing our exposure to blue wavelengths. Harvard Medical School has penned a report on the “dark side of blue light.”
What is the blue light filter?
The blue light filter decreases the amount of blue light displayed on the screen of the device. Blue light can suppress the production of melatonin (a sleep-inducing hormone), so filtering it out can help sleep better. It will also reduce digital eye strain, so your eyes won’t feel so tired by the end of the day.
Using spectacles instead of lenses
It’s very important to keep your eyewear clean during this pandemic. Try using glasses instead of lenses as the latter can cause irritation. Consider buying the best blue light glasses to mitigate the effects of blue light during your screen time. The protective eyewear acts as a barrier to visual comfort. It filters out blue light with anti-glare lenses to shield the fibers of your eyes.
Ensure to have vitamin A in your diet
Having a healthy, nutritious, and balanced diet is good for your overall health. Eat a balanced and healthy diet rich in antioxidants and vitamin A. Carrots, Kale, Spinach, Collard greens, Cod liver oil, Zucchini, Brussel sprouts, Sweet potatoes can aid in maintaining eye health. Carrot Beet Apple juice, Spinach Kale Broccoli juice, Berry smoothie, fresh Orange juice, tomato juice, Aloe juice, Coconut water are best for your eyesight. Check out the best juicers that can keep you hydrated as well as help maintain your eyesight. A nutritious diet can actually enhance vision and slow down age-related vision loss.
Adjust your sleep pattern
Are you having strained and dry eyes? That is probably because you are not getting enough sleep. Disturbance in our circadian rhythm occurs because of irregular schedules and the increased use of mobile phones and laptops late at night. So change your sleep pattern. Keep it regular. A healthy amount of sleep can decrease the tiredness of your eyes and boost your vision.
Practice good hygiene
The longer one continues to stare at the screen, the adverse effects appear to worsen. Take breaks and don’t spend long hours crouching in the same position. Wash your hands, face quite often. Use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your face especially your nose, eyes, and mouth. Regularly disinfect commonly touched surfaces. Practicing good hygiene will keep you healthy and safe in the longer run.
No more than a few hours of screen time for kids
Don’t let the unpleasant side-effects of sitting in front of the screen take a painful toll. A study suggests that kids aged 2–5 should spend no more than an hour a day on a device. Spending long hours are very harmful to children. Involve your kids in such indoor activities that can entertain and educate them at the same time.
Eyes are highly susceptible to various infections amid the COVID pandemic. Our priority should be the proper eye care so that we can remain protected from infections such as conjunctivitis, stye, dry eyes, and corneal ulcers which can lead to permanent blindness. Although there is no current consensus on how much time should be spent on screen but following the above-mentioned steps will take care of your eyes as well as keep you healthy and active.
