Eye health week- Reducing Screen Fatigue

Sight is a sense that many people fear losing but many people are unaware of the factors and bad habits that can negatively impact your eye health. This is what eye health week is all about- raising awareness of the good habits you can get into to look after your eyes.

As Care Control is a technology-based company that works from screens we will be focusing on how to protect your eyes when it comes to using screens in this blog. However, the vision matters website has plenty of resources with help on looking after your eyes in other areas of life.

Did you know?

2 million people in the UK are living with sight loss, which is severe enough to have a significant impact on their daily lives. Half of this sight loss is avoidable if came later in life.

A sight test can detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, which can be treated if found soon enough.

During a sight test, other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure may be detected.

Eye health for screens

According to Ofcom people now spend more time on screens than they do asleep. So, it comes as no surprise that there is a high rise in screen fatigue – headaches, sore or tired eyes and problems with close-up and long-distance vision.

Being screen smart can help to reduce these symptoms and the chances of you experiencing screen fatigue altogether. Below are some tips to help you become screen smart:

Minimising screen fatigue:

20-20-20 rule

Take frequent breaks and give your eyes a rest by following the 20-20-20 rule. Look away from your screen every 20 minutes for 20 seconds and focus on objects 20 feet away.

Blink

You can forget to blink by up to 60% when looking at a screen. For a refresh of your eyes close them and roll your eyes with your eyelids shut.

1-2-10 Rule

As well as taking regular breaks, how your screen is set up can also affect your risk of screen fatigue.

1. View mobile phones from one foot (30cm)
2. Desktop devices and laptops from two feet (60 – 75cms),
3. TV screens from around 10 feet (depending on how big the screen is)

Stay hydrated

Dehydration can increase symptoms of screen fatigue, so it is important to make sure you stay hydrated when working in front of a screen.

Customise screen settings

Select a font size 12 and above and make sure your screen is always clean.

Finally, make sure you get your eyes checked once every 2 years unless advised otherwise.