Before you reach your desk, you may already have checked your messages, read the news and answered an email on the train. Then come the spreadsheets, video calls and deadlines. By the time you get home, there’s probably another screen waiting.
Screens are part of everyday life. But if your eyes regularly feel tired, dry or uncomfortable at the end of the day, it’s worth paying attention.
For National Eye Health Week, we’re encouraging people to make a little more time for their eyes.
Why can screens leave your eyes feeling tired?
When we concentrate on a screen for long periods, we tend to blink less. This can leave our eyes feeling dry, gritty, sore or blurry particularly in heated or air-conditioned offices.
But screen time isn’t always the cause. If symptoms keep returning or you notice a change in your vision, it’s worth getting your eyes checked rather than simply putting it down to a busy day.
Give your eyes a change of focus
Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something around 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds.
Use natural pauses in your day after a video call, between tasks or while making a coffee to look away from your screen and into the distance. And remember, swapping your laptop for your phone isn’t really giving your eyes a break. When you step away from work, try to step away from the screen for a few minutes too.
Make your screen work for you
A few adjustments can make your working day more comfortable. Increase the text size if you find yourself leaning towards your screen, reduce reflections from windows or overhead lighting and make sure your screen is positioned comfortably.
If you’ve been prescribed glasses for screen or office use, wear them as advised.
An eye examination is about more than glasses
It’s easy to assume you only need an eye examination when your vision changes.
In reality, your optometrist is also checking the health of your eyes and looking for changes you may not have noticed yourself.
That’s why regular eye examinations matter, even when you think you can see perfectly well.
Make time for your eyes
We think nothing of charging our phone, refilling our coffee or getting up to stretch our legs. Our eyes deserve the same attention.
If tired, dry or uncomfortable eyes are becoming a regular part of your day, don’t simply put it down to screen time.
If it’s been a while since your last eye examination, National Eye Health Week is a good reminder to make time for one.
At Whitby & Co on Fleet Street, our optometrists provide comprehensive eye examinations and personalised advice to help you look after your vision at work and beyond.
