- By Iram Hussain
- Mon, 11 Nov 2024 04:46 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The use of monitors, be it for work, studying or playing games is already in most of our daily lives. Unfortunately, this digital way of approaching life has its drawbacks. One of these is the gradual increase in myopia, especially among young adults and children. Myopia or nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where close objects appear clear but distant objects appear blurry. Caused by elongated eyeballs or excessive corneal curvature, myopia can be corrected with glasses and can also be prevented with some effective tips.
In a conversation with Jahgran English, Dr Neeraj Sanduja, MBBS, MS, Ophthalmologist, and Eye Surgeon, Viaan Eye and Retina Centre listed some useful tips to prevent myopia and maintain eye-friendly screen time.
Tips For Eye-Friendly Screen Time
Adhere To The 20-20-20 Rule
As an eye strain preventer, follow the 20-20-20 rule; every 20 minutes, look away for 20 seconds at an object that is at least 20 feet away from you. Eyes relaxed by the tiny break will not have to exert themselves to focus on close-sight areas for long.
Change The Position Of Light Sources And Screen Angles To Minimise Glare
Use screens only in areas with adequate lighting since the eyesight is likely to be adversely affected otherwise. Further, minimise screen glare by appropriately adjusting ambient light to be in sync with your screen and using a glare filter.
Maintain Recommended Viewing Distance From Screen
Maintain an ideal distance of 18-24 inches from your eyes to the screen. In the case of small children, the distance should preferably be even more as, at that age, the child’s eyes are still developing.
Encourage Outdoor Activities
Exposure to natural light can have a positive influence on one’s health. It may also assist children in curtailing myopia’s progression. People of all ages need to be encouraged to spend 1 to 2 hours outdoors as research indicates it assists in controlling myopia progression.
Modify Screen Settings
Pay attention to the brightness, the contrast, as well as the text size so that it is not too high to cause discomfort. Increasing the font size together with the contrast helps in reducing the strain on the eye making it easier to use screens.
Remember To Blink And Drink Water
When exposed to the screen for longer durations people tend to blink less which leads to dryness and irritation of the eyes. It is important to remember to blink often and use artificial tears if necessary to lubricate the eyes.
Consider Myopia Management Options
For myopic individuals, it is best to see an ophthalmologist for options like myopia control lenses, ortho-k lenses or low-dose atropine eye drops in order to slow the progression down.
Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Finally, regular appointments with an eye specialist are necessary especially when a person has visible signs of eye strain, or if he is progressing into myopia. An ophthalmologist is able to assess your eyes for any conditions and if necessary, correct them with managements and therapies tailored to your needs.