With online school, it is more important than ever to take care of our eyesight. It is no secret that spending long amounts of time in front of screens is exhausting (or is it online school itself?). So here are a few tips to keep your beautiful eyes in superb health!
Try to avoid looking at screens for too long
A bad habit that a lot of people have is to check their phones, watch videos or even scroll through social media between classes, while eating or simply for a break from homework. This time can be used differently to give our eyes a break from screens (and to prevent our inevitable procrastination). Try going for a walk outside, doing your chores, or anything that will get you up and away from your screen.
Avoid reading in dim light
When there is not enough lighting, your eyes will put more effort into focusing on the words, which will exhaust them. Make sure you are reading or working in a well-lit environment!
Protect your eyes from UV and blue light
Eyes usually do a decent job at blocking UV rays, but the same cannot quite be said for blue rays. Blue light cannot be blocked by the cornea or lens, which may lead to digital eyestrain and retina damage. This is why blue light filters and blue light glasses are so beneficial at this time. They can help prevent dry, irritated, and tired eyes! That being said, the best option is obviously to take breaks every 20 mins, if possible. Wearing sunglasses if you spend a lot of time outdoors might be a good idea to protect your eyes from UV rays in the long run.
Hydrate!
Because online classes require us to focus on a screen for long amounts of time we forget to blink and that leads to dryness in the eyes. Eye lubricants might be a great help during those times. These eye drops are usually available over the counter, but we recommend to talk with your doctor beforehand if you have any eye condition.
Eat and sleep well
This is a no brainer but important. Vitamin A and E are the two vitamins that contribute to good eye health, among other nutrients. Getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in fish like salmon is also important in your overall health as well as your eye health. Sleeping enough will give your eyes the necessary time in darkness for them to rest.
Friendly reminder: do not forget to get your eyes checked regularly!
Stay healthy and keep your eyes happy!