The Spectator

It has been almost a year since the country was put in lockdown due to the pandemic, and many people have been continuously working from home since. The lockdown restrictions have increased the amount of time spent in front of digital devices such as computers, phones and TV’s for work and recreation, which has led to an increase in eye fatigue.

Eye fatigue usually occurs when your eyes are in pain due to the muscles being overworked. This can typically be caused by using digital devices over extended periods of time and long periods of activity that demand concentration and focus. Eye fatigue can cause a range of symptoms such as headaches and tiredness, dry eyes and difficulty focusing, which can differ for each individual.

Eye fatigue has become incredibly common with as many as 90% of computer users reporting symptoms of eye fatigue, and 8 out of 10 millennials experience symptoms related to using digital devices.

There are methods to help alleviate eye fatigue daily, and long term.

• Blink more frequently. When you spend long periods of time in front of a digital device, you are less likely to blink, which can leave your eyes feeling dry. Making a conscious effort to blink more frequently will keep your eyes hydrated.
• Remember the 20:20:20 rule. To reduce fatigue, it is advised that every 20 minutes, you look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, giving your eyes regular breaks from the screen.
• Avoid screens before bed. Give your eyes a break from screens by turning them off or avoiding looking at them at least 2 hours before you go to bed to ensure you are relaxed and get a good night’s sleep.
• Book an Eye Examination. It is important to keep up to date with your regular eye examinations. This allows our optometrists to assess the health of your eyes and update your prescription.
• Finding the right lenses. If vision correction is required, our dispensing opticians will help you select the right lenses for your needs. Over the last few months, we have seen an increase in lenses for computer use due to many people still working from home.

The current lockdown circumstances could see many people working from home for many more months, with some businesses continuing with working from home on a permanent basis. It is important to look after your eye health and having regular eye examinations is part of this. In a survey carried out by Fight for Sight, 1/5 of adults out of 2000 participants said they were less likely to have an eye examination now, than before the pandemic.

Our practices have implemented safety measures to ensure they are COVID secure and are following guidance. All members of the team have been provided with the recommended PPE and have been risk assessed ensuring the safety of patients and staff in our practices. Your eyecare is important and as an essential service we remain open for eye examinations.

For more information regarding our COVID measures or booking an eye examination, contact your local Eye Place today.