As we stay home during this Circuit Breaker (CB), most of us will be glued to our smartphones and laptops to keep us entertained throughout the day. In addition, students are required to attend home-based learning (HBL) via video conference with their teachers, giving more reasons to be in constant exposure to our electronic devices. Many studies have shown that prolonged usage of electronic devices which emits a large amount of blue light causes more harm than good to our eyes. Some common problems include eye infections, dryness or deteriorated eyesight. To prevent these problems from happening, we came up with a list of recommendations that you can adopt in order to protect your eyes.
App for eye care
In order to control the usage of smartphone and tablet devices, we strongly encourage you to install the Plano App. This application will essentially restrict the duration you are allowed on a device before you get a reminder to take a break. Additionally, they have other useful functions such as blacking out the screen when the device is too close to your eyes. This is especially useful for parents who want to control the durations that their children are exposed to the electronic devices.
Computer spectacles
If you do not have a choice and need to be on your devices for prolonged period of time due to work, the better solution is to purchase a computer spectacle. These spectacles are designed to reduce glare and increases contrast to maximise what you see through the lens, making it easier for you to look at screens for an extended duration. Although most computer glasses claim that they can emit blue light, it is still advisable that you take short breaks in between your work. You should not be looking at your screen continuously for more than two hours straight!
Healthy foods for your eyes
Besides external eye care, there are also foods that you can consume to protect your eyes. Some examples include salmon, carrot, berries and nuts, etc.
- Salmon: Contains high omega-3 fatty acid content. These fatty acids can help to prevent macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome. Essentially, they decrease the risks of high eye pressure and glaucoma (damage to eye nerves).
- Carrot: Due to its high Vitamin A content, carrots can help to improve eye health and even night vision capabilities.
- Berries: Most berries have high Vitamin C content, which helps to improve iron absorbing capabilities. On top of that, berries contain a type of antioxidant that improves the retinal tissue functions of our eyes.
- Nuts: Most nuts contain high vitamin E content, which helps to prevent your eyesight from dimming down. Additionally, studies also show that eating nuts daily helps to control myopia.
Acting vs reacting
While there are certainly remedies for eye problems such as myopia or cataracts, it is extremely to seek treatment for our eyes. A LASIK eye surgery can easily cost up to a few thousand dollars. While such remedies can effectively give you a clean slate and ‘restart’ your eyes, it is better to act than to react. By following some of the useful tips shared above, it will minimise the risks that your eyes are exposed to on a daily basis.
