Your job is mainly sitting in a chair and looking at a computer screen? Not only your … – research shows that since the outbreak of the pandemic, we perform more and more eye-straining activities. We advise how to help our eyes.
The reality of the digital age …
Even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, laptops, tablets and smartphones were inseparable companions of our lives – both professional and private. According to statistics, we spent on average six hours a day browsing the Internet. Currently, due to the necessity of social isolation, we use the web for online conferences, meetings, private conversations, shopping and even doctor visits.
The same applies to our children, who, instead of looking at the traditional blackboard and homework on paper, have to attend online lessons. However, remote lessons are not the only reason why the eyes of children are exposed to more and more frequent contact with the screen, the restrictions also resulted in a limited possibility of using outdoor activities. As a result, video games, social media and other screen activities have become a common form of spending free time.
Unfortunately, the hours devoted to staring at glowing screens from close range have an impact on the quality of vision. Excessive work at the monitor contributes to increasing the accommodative tension in the eye and reducing the frequency of blinking. Under normal circumstances, the human eye blinks about 15-20 times a minute – only 5 times a minute when working at a computer for a long time!
Our eyes are not properly moisturized, which results in dryness, burning .. Often the image is blurred or doubled. These are the basic symptoms of the so-called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), defined by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) as “a complex set of eye and vision problems associated with near work that is felt while using a computer or related activities “.
The level of tension and discomfort felt by a person working at a computer depends on many factors, including the type and intensity of lighting in the room, the distance of our eyes from the monitor, light reflections from the screen, body position or the angle of the head tilt. It has also been shown that the discomfort associated with staring at the screens for a long time may be greater in people using vision correction in the form of glasses or contact lenses. Therefore, it is important not to choose the correction on your own, but go to a specialist who will choose the most comfortable type of vision correction.
SOS for the eyes
Fortunately, the symptoms of computer vision syndrome can be minimized by following a few simple rules. First of all: remember about prophylaxis – people exposed to long-term exposure to blue light should check their eyes at least once a year. A similar frequency of visits to a specialist is recommended for those with a vision defect. The exceptions are children and elderly patients – they should have their vision tested several times a year. Secondly, let’s take care of the hygiene of work at the computer and use the achievements of technology in the right conditions.
One rule that can help prevent eye strain is the 20/20/20 rule, recommended by the American Optometric Association (AOA). It tells you to look at an object more than 20 feet (over 20 m) up close for 20 seconds every 6 minutes of work. We can perform a series of simple exercises:
- Looking Near and Far – to do this exercise, find two points in your surroundings – one must be close and the other as far as possible. After that, it is enough to look at both items alternately
- The lying figure eight – you can perform the exercise in any position. All you need to do is stretch your hand in front of you with your index finger extended and draw the shape of a figure eight in the air, you will follow the resulting contour. Important: do not move your head while doing this! As you exercise, lower your hand, close your eyelids, and draw eights in your imagination.
- Pendulum – relieves muscle tension in the neck and shoulders and improves eye movements. Stand or sit comfortably. Breathe evenly. Close your eyes and imagine a pendulum swinging in front of your face. Move your head smoothly, mimicking his movements. Stop after a while. Keeping your head straight (eyelids still closed), begin following the pendulum movement with just your eyes.
Eye gymnastics will have a positive effect on the work of the muscles of the knobs – as well as adequate, diffused lighting in the room. To prevent your eyes from drying out, it is a good idea to force additional blinking and stock up on moisturizing drops or “artificial tears”. In addition, it is extremely important to properly prepare the workplace – it is best to place the monitor sideways to the window to increase the flow of natural light. It should not have the maximum brightness set (it is worth using the so-called night mode). The optimal distance between the face and the screen of the monitor is 40–75 cm according to the Sanepid recommendations.
Our desk must not be complete without an ergonomic chair that will allow us to maintain the right posture. It should have elbow supports, adjustable height, adjustable backrest angle and a soft headrest. Specialists also advise you to choose the right size and typeface that will be as light as possible for your eyesight. The Vision Ergonomics Research Laboratory research commissioned by Microsoft shows that Verdana, size 10-12, is the most eye-friendly. You should also ventilate the room frequently, ensure adequate air humidity, a healthy balanced diet and an adequate amount of sleep.
With the right support and well-chosen glasses or contact lenses, many hours of work in front of a computer do not have to be so tiring. The answer to the needs of people with high visual requirements are the latest generation lenses, such as: Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® silicone hydrogel lenses that provide ULTRAcomfort as well as stable and sharp vision throughout the day of use.
Thanks to MoistureSeal® technology, Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® lenses combine three features: high hydration which keeps the lenses moisturized and consistently comfortable all day long, extremely high oxygen permeability for healthy eyes in good condition, and a low stiffness modulus, thanks to which the lens is comfortable immediately after insertion and imperceptible to the eye during the day.
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® lenses are the perfect solution for nearsighted people and people with hyperopia, Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® For Astigmatism lenses are intended for people with astigmatism, while Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® For Presbyopia lenses are designed for people over 40 years of age who want to enjoy excellent vision both from far and close.
Contact lenses and their care fluids are a medical product within the meaning of the Act of May 20, 2010 on medical devices.