{"id":20578,"date":"2022-02-06T14:22:50","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T14:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20578"},"modified":"2022-02-06T14:22:50","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T14:22:50","slug":"7-tips-for-keeping-your-eyes-healthy-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/covid-19\/7-tips-for-keeping-your-eyes-healthy-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tips For Keeping Your Eyes Healthy During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

While many people are careful to protect their nose and mouth to avoid catching COVID-19, it is important to remember that our delicate eyes need protection as well.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here are our top 7 tips to keep your eyes healthy during the COVID-19<\/a> pandemic:<\/p>\n

1. Practice healthy screen time habits<\/b><\/h2>\n

The pandemic and its social restrictions has led to a rapid rise in digital device usage. Whether you are working or learning from home, or just planning online \u2018get-togethers\u2019 with your friends, increased screen time can have a major effect on your eyes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Practicing healthy screen time habits can help to reduce your risk of dry eye<\/a> and digital eye strain<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n

Studies show that our blink rate decreases as we stare at a computer screen, often resulting in dry, irritated eyes, as well as blurry vision.<\/p>\n

Digital eye strain, which causes headaches, eye fatigue and neck and shoulder pain, is another prevalent concern.<\/p>\n

Tips for healthy screen time habits:<\/b><\/h3>\n

1. Adjust screen distance\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Keep your screen between 40 and 70 cm away from your eyes, pointing it slightly downward, below eye level.<\/p>\n

2. Schedule screen breaks<\/b><\/p>\n

Set an alarm to go off every 20 minutes to give your eyes a much needed break. This will give the focusing muscles in your eyes a chance to relax, preventing eye strain and fatigue.<\/p>\n

3. Modify screen contrast and brightness\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Match your screen brightness and contrast to your environment to make it easier on your eyes, and avoid placing your screens in front of a window to prevent glare.<\/p>\n

In darker environments, set your screen on the night mode feature which will automatically adjust the brightness, color and contrast of your screen to make it most comfortable for your eyes.<\/p>\n

2. Drink water to combat dry eyes<\/b><\/h2>\n

Drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water each day to keep your body healthy, prevent dehydration and reduce your risk of dry eye.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Daily mask wearing has become the new \u2018norm\u2019 since the start of the pandemic. However, prolonged mask wearing has been shown to increase the risk of dry eye,<\/a> especially when the mask doesn\u2019t fit securely against the bridge of your nose.<\/p>\n

When the air you exhale escapes through the top of the mask, it rises toward the eyes, leading to excessive tear evaporation and dry eyes.<\/p>\n

If you are experiencing mild to moderate dry eye symptoms, try using an over-the-counter artificial tears eye drop<\/a>, gel or ointment to alleviate your discomfort. For more severe dry eyes<\/a>, consult with your eye doctor, as there are a range of dry eye treatments that can give you the relief you seek.<\/p>\n

3. Perform eye exercises<\/b><\/h2>\n

The following eye exercises<\/a> can help relax your eye muscles, preventing eye strain and headaches in the long run.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Figure-eight<\/b><\/p>\n