[aravindb_0711]

In a time where the average screen time of the Indian citizen has crossed 5 hours (Source: Times of India), it is very important to maintain good eye health. It has been observed that using screens just before going to bed affects sleep. This creates a bad next day and thus turns into a vicious circle.

As there are no other viable alternatives to online classes and work these days, people are forced to spend long hours, eyes glued to screens. This is extremely detrimental to eye health and can cause sight issues in the long term.

Some tips for improving eye health are:
1. Limit screen time as much as possible.
2. Eat foods that are good for eye health
3. For every 20 minutes you use a screen, look at an object 20 feet away for
20 seconds to relax the ciliary muscles in your eyes.
4. Use blue light filtering glasses and turn on night light permanently in your
Windows PC. This greatly reduces eye strain and is useful to prevent tired
eyes.

I've recently started using cheap blue light filtering glasses when I use my PC and the difference in the fatigue is night and day!

Be sure to read the reviews of any product you are considering to buy online before paying to avoid a bad experience!

[mr_robot]

Originally Posted by aravindb_0711

In a time where the average screen time of the Indian citizen has crossed 5 hours (Source: Times of India)

Haha, those are rookie numbers.
I have purchased Zero Power Lens with two layers of Blue Light Filter, with those on at the end of the day, after around 10hrs screen time, my eyes felt very dry. I highly recommend using eye drops, go to an optometrist and ask him to recommend eye drops for daily use.

[GTO]

Man, a topic close to my heart . Thanks for sharing! Here's what I do:

1. Strictly following the 20-20-20 rule (related thread (The 20:20:20 Rule - Practice it and preserve your Eyesight)). I have a software for the same - link in that thread. In fact, I now take a minute's break every 20 minutes and also stand up. Helps with blood circulation, I'm told.

2. What really kills the eye is the final 25% of your work day. That's when your eyes are tired. Before, I used to work a straight 10 hours and then go to the gym, but then realised it was in the 9th & 10th hour that my eyes were the most tired. I have now changed my schedule to working for 8 hours, then gym for 1.5 hours, and then put the final 2 hours. Believe me, the eyes & mind are so much sharper. Added bonus = productivity is at 100% in the 9th & 10th hour too (unlike before where I'd slow down due to being tired).

3. I switch my computers to "night mode" and / or use Zeiss blue-light glasses.

4. No computer work after dinner.

5. Blink your eyes a lot (although this is extremely hard to remember).

6. Keep the computer screen a minimum of 2 feet away.

7. May or may not work for you, but this has really helped me = I wash my eyes / face every 2 - 3 hours with cool water.

[The21st]

The eye comfort mode in smartphone makes a lot of difference. After using eye comfort mode for a number of days, I hate cool tone.

Even though I feel cool tone is visually appealing the comfort of warm tone is really great.
If you hate eye comfort mode, change the display tone to warm('Normal' is the default one) which will also help but the tinting won't be as aggressive as eye comfort mode.

[thewhiteknight]

Originally Posted by aravindb_0711

4. Use blue light filtering glasses and turn on night light permanently in your
Windows PC. This greatly reduces eye strain and is useful to prevent tired
eyes.

I've recently started using cheap blue light filtering glasses when I use my PC and the difference in the fatigue is night and day!

Originally Posted by mr_robot

I have purchased Zero Power Lens with two layers of Blue Light Filter, with those on at the end of the day, after around 10hrs screen time, my eyes felt very dry.

Originally Posted by GTO

3. I switch my computers to "night mode" and / or use Zeiss blue-light glasses.

Guys, Blue light filters are at best a myth/unproven, at worst a scam. Multiple studies have shown that Blue light isn't the issue. It's our usage patterns that matter.

https://youtu.be/NkJY9bgLyBE

On the other hand, the 20-20-20 rule has been proven to be effective. I dont quite follow the rule but I do have my watch to remind me to get up and walk around a bit every hour or so.

[eyedocgb]

During this pandemic, our eyes have been working overtime -be it for leisure, entertainment or work from home.

It's basically Computer Vision Syndrome, aggravated by excess screen time on mobiles, computers, TV's etc, decreased water intake especially outdoors due to masks, infrequent blinking et al. As I have seen in the last couple of years of practice, the younger children have been affected more.

Simple solutions like "Blink when you click", restricting screen time, maintaining hydration, use of artificial tear substitute eye drops and appropriate medical management of hypothyroidism and Vitamin D & B-complex deficiency.

Blue-filter glasses are practically more of a mental satisfaction than of actual use[statement made at the risk of receiving brickbats] Keep your eyes healthy and feel free to get in touch.

Thank you

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by eyedocgb

use of artificial tear substitute eye drops

Can you please suggest any good OTC eye drops?

[car_addict]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Can you please suggest any good OTC eye drops?

After my LASIK, I started to suffer from dry eyes. The doctor recommended Genteal. Have been using it for the past 11 years without any issues.

[emkay.india]

Do the below exercise for your eyes daily twice.

1. Sit in Vajrasana or if you find it difficult, use a pillow below your legs for support. If you find this too to be difficult simply sit on a chair.
2. Hold both your hands and keep them outstretched in front of you at eye level. Keep the thumbs unfolded and facing you.
3. Focus on either of your thumb. Keep your eyes focused on the thumb throughout the exercise routine which should not take more than 5 minutes.
4. Now begins the exercise, move your hands (holding together) straight up and down. Move your hands slowly and repeat for 5 times.
5. Keep your hands at eye level and move them left to right and right to left - 5 times.
6. Move your hands diagonally, again from left to right and right to left. Repeat 5 times.
6. Move your hands in the shape of a circle - both clockwise and anti-clockwise - again 5 times each.
7. Keep your hands out-stretched in front of you at eye level. Bring them as close as possible to your face and stretch them out again. Repeat 5 times.

Idea of this exercise is to move your eyes in all directions without moving your face too much. Top-bottom, left-right, rotate, diagonal motion and 7th step is to change your eyes' focus continuously.

This won't take more than 5 minutes and you can do this once in morning and once in evening. Close your eyes with your palms over it for 20-30 seconds after the exercise routine is finished.

[AZT]

Originally Posted by emkay.india

Do the below exercise for your eyes daily twice.

If you can, can you post a youtube video or something which shows this. I want to share with my parents.

[agambhandari]

I'm an ophthalmologist working at AIIMS and this topic has become very relevant in the surge of WFH and we are seeing the same in our OPDs as well. A few suggestions that i can give

Do not work on a screen for more than 40-45 min at a stretch. Take 10 min break at least after every 40 min or so.

Increase your working distance. Keep your phone at an arms length. Switch to a laptop/desktop instead of a phone wherever possible.

Blue light filters are controversial but there are some studies to show that blocking blue light may be useful. But anyway doesn't hurt to use one and it does help in keeping the workflow comfortable.

In the summers and especially with ACs on, the dry eye symptoms such as itching, foreign body sensation do increase a bit. Can use E/d Teardrops 4 to 6 times a day (chemical composition- 0.5 percent CMC) (use any brand with same composition).

And if headache persists, please get your refractive error checked. You may have a small refractive error and need glasses to make you more comfortable.

Cheers. Any doubts I'd be happy to help

[sunbaj]

Very happy to see this topic being discussed. I was about to start a new topic on the same last week and today I see this coming up. Well I am almost in my mid 40's and have started having vision issues.

Approx. 3 years back had vision issues and when I got it checked came to know that I was suffering from Macula Edima in my right eye. Consulted many doctors in Noida and also visited Eye 7 but really did not find any improvements. So out of frustration got myself checked in PGI Chandigarh and was asked by the eye specialist that I should really avoid any medication and really forget that there is any vision issues that I have. Over a period of time I was surprised to find that the issue was eventually resolved and my vision was back to normal.

Now it seems that I have long-sight or hypermetropia. Will be going to the doctor to get myself checked. Let's see what comes out. Probably will be recommended to wear glasses. Not sure if there are any other options available like laser treatment or anything else.

[eyedocgb]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Can you please suggest any good OTC eye drops?

Any tear substitute eye drops with Carboxymethylcellulose or HPMC as the main component. Brand names may differ regionwise. 1-2 drops 3-4 times a day.
Thank you.

[senna]

Man, this hits too close to home. I have been diagnosed with computer vision syndrome last month. The main advice from doctor was :

1. Drink lots of fluids to keep one hydrated.
2. Take omega 3 supplements for some time.
3. Blink more.
4. Eye drops to relieve dry/itchy eyes.
5. Reduce low contrast screen viewing, especially in the dark ( I tried to start a habit of reading on a kindle during the lockdown, the symptoms came up after that). This might purely by co-incidental, but I have stopped using kindle for some time.

I have been using the drops and there is significant improvement.

[jeygani]

I always use warm light tone in mobile and laptop.
Avoid continuous screen time and stand up in between, this helps a lot.
A good night's sleep is best for eyes, I was having tired eyes and eye drops didn't help but when work load reduced, I had good night sleep for close to a month, eyes are normal now.