Your Eyecare During Lockdown
During each lockdown, you’ll likely have noticed dryer eyes, issues with your focus and your eyes getting tired quicker. This is due to extended screen time. Every aspect of our lives has been crammed into our homes. If you’ve been working from home, you’ve likely relied on your computer and phone to keep contact with colleagues and clients. Furloughed workers have also probably been using a screen a lot more, whether that’s staying occupied on the computer or binge-watching shows on the TV. You need to make sure you’re taking care of your eyes and I have a few tips for you.
1. Reduce Screen Time
I know this may seem obvious but unless you make a conscious effort to do this, it probably won’t happen. Working from home you probably go straight from sitting at your laptop to sitting in front of the TV or scrolling through your phone. Doing this means that your eyes aren’t getting a break from looking at screens. If you think about it, when working at the office your eyes would have been given a rest on the commute home and they are no longer getting this.
It’s important to keep this in mind for children too. When at school they would have had breaks away from the computer during most classes and during break times. But now they are home and all of their learning is online. This means that you need to make sure their eyes getting to look at something other than a computer screen or the TV.
2. Treat Dry Eyes
Extensive use of screens can lead to dry eyes because they encourage you to stare at one spot more and reduce your blink rate. You should be sure to look after your eyes if they do get dry. Some tips for eyecare during lockdown for dry eyes include:
- Keeping hydrated – Drinking plenty of water will ensure that your body is hydrated enough at all times
- Take breaks from the screen to rest your eyes
- Get plenty of sleep – This gives your eyes more time to rest
- Some eye drops and ointments can help
We offer Dry Eye assessments so if this becomes a concern, book an appointment with us and we can assess the best course of action for you.
3. Use Proper Lighting
Making sure you have good lighting in your home is essential. If you can’t focus on your screen properly or you can’t see your book whilst reading, you’ll be unable to focus properly. This in turn will cause eyestrain. A vital part of eyecare during lockdown is making sure you can see properly.
For example, it might be nice to sit near a window whilst working on your laptop. However, if the sunlight outside is brighter than your computer screen, your eyes will have to work harder to focus on what you’re looking at. If you don’t want to have the main lights on all the time, investing in a simple table lamp can help a lot.
4. Look After Your General Health
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind but looking after your general health will do wonders for your eyecare during lockdown. It all starts with a balanced diet and giving your eyes the nutrition that they need. Foods that are rich in Omega-3 and vitamin C & E help to lubricate your eyes naturally. This includes fish, chia seeds, walnuts and soya beans. Additionally, consuming other foods like leafy vegetables, dairy products, eggs, carrots, and fruits are also good for your eye health.
5. Consider Other Eyecare Solutions
Being home all the time has led to a lot of people deciding to undertake DIY projects at home. This could include simply repainting a wall, or completely refurbishing a room yourself. Although this is great for keeping active and will benefit your mental health, you need to look after your eyes too. A vital part of eyecare during lockdown is making sure you use the right equipment. If you are going to start a DIY project, please be sure to use correct safety goggles for protection. The last thing you need is drips of paint or large amounts of dust ending up in your eyes!
What if I need eyecare help?
If you find yourself needing professional eyecare help, don’t worry, we’re still open! If you have any concerns or have started to notice any symptoms the best course of action is to see an optometrist as soon as possible. We’re here to help, Just call us, or you can also use our easy online booking form to book your appointment.