#Eye timer screen computer tv

fold a load of washing, do some dishes, do some meal prep, go for a walk around the block, throw the ball to the dog, look outside the window and gaze at the clouds) Make a list of quick, non-digital tasks you can do when the timer goes off (e.g.Use this time to consciously blink and apply lubricating drops.TIP 1: Look away from the screen at least once every hour ‘It’s all about returning your eyes to the three-dimensional world – every little bit of screen time reduction helps,’ says Dr Tenen.īelow are Dr Tenen’s top tips for reducing Digital Eye Strain. Making the situation worse was that the student loved reading and would spend additional hours with her head in books, eyes still focused on close-up objects. Her eyes weren’t getting a break.’ Treatment and prevention of eye strain ‘We calculated her average screen time to be eleven hours a day, with six hours of that being schoolwork. ‘This student went from not needing glasses at the start of this year to having a prescription of -5 D, which is an enormous shift over six months. She is also concerned about the risk to school-aged children.ĭr Tenen recounts one example of a year five student who recently experienced a significant myopic shift. Trouble concentrating and sleeping (related to increased blue-light exposure)Īs a refractive surgeon, Dr Tenen is particularly concerned about exacerbation of dry eye and myopic changes in patients who are undergoing laser eye surgery.Increasing short-sightedness (myopic shift).Feeling self-conscious about having red eyes.Dry eyes symptoms (gritty, red, tired, itchy, sore, stinging or watery eyes).‘Likewise, kids who are remote learning may be missing out on regimented class breaks such as recess and lunchtime as well as before- and after-school playtime.’ Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain Working parents who are also trying to help school their kids are struggling to find time to take breaks, often starting work early and finishing late to fit it all in. ‘However, I know from personal experience that it’s not as easy as telling people to simply reduce their digital activities.

#Eye timer screen computer tv

‘Focusing on any screen – computer, laptop, tablet, phone, TV – for hours at a time can lead to various eye- and vision-related issues. Human eyes aren’t designed to stare closely at two-dimensional images for long periods. ‘It has been around for years and is a well-established syndrome. Some might refer to it as Computer Vision Syndrome, but the term Digital Eye Strain is more accurate because it’s not only computers that are the culprit.ĭigital Eye Strain is not a new concept, Dr Tenen emphasises. ‘Whilst I think that we need to accept increased screen time as a given during the pandemic, it’s important to recognise some of the problems that may result and look at ways of managing them sensibly.’ What is Digital Eye Strain? ‘This year I am seeing a growing number of patients complaining of issues related to eye strain, with most reporting an increase in digital use of about three- to four-fold. ‘Lockdowns including Victoria’s current stage 4 restrictions have largely driven the need to go online – for school, for work, for shopping, for entertainment. ‘We’re using digital screens for everything now,’ says Dr Tenen. Dr Abi Tenen, a respected corneal, cataract and refractive eye surgeon based at Vision Eye Institute Melbourne, says this is translating to more people seeking help for symptoms of Digital Eye Strain. There’s no denying that screen time has skyrocketed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, what can you do when eliminating screens is not practical for your household?

Those of us who are fortunate enough to avoid COVID-19 may still fall victim to another growing concern – health issues linked to Digital Eye Strain, some of which may have far-reaching consequences. Are we seeing an epidemic within the pandemic?