It is more likely that you are struggling with these eye conditions due to a pandemic

If there’s one thing the pandemic has undeniably done, it is increasing the amount of time we look at screens. Whether we work, relax, or watch TV, we are stuck on our screens for most of our days. We didn’t do too well with our screen time prior to the pandemic, so new eye conditions have emerged, all of which have been affected by lockdown measures.

The Huffington Post spoke to various health professionals and noted that there are some conditions that we are all more prone to now that we spend more time looking at screens. Here are some to keep an eye on:

myopia

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Myopia, or nearsightedness, has an important genetic element that some people develop because of their genes. However, several studies suggest that lack of time outdoors and excessive eye stress could contribute to this condition. “Total screen time can lead to myopia [i.e., nearsightedness]because people don’t have enough time to relax their vision or look into the distance, ”said behavioral optician Juanita Collier. “And because we spend a lot more time inside, our bodies are not getting the all-important daily dose of vitamin D that has been shown to decrease myopia progression.”

Dry eye

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Dry eye occurs when we don’t blink enough. This can happen when we stare at screens or when we wear masks for long periods of time. Dry eye can cause watery eyes, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. To prevent this from happening, make sure you stay hydrated, wear a mask with a flexible nose wire, and blink frequently and purposefully. This way, you provide breaks for your eyes.

Computer vision syndrome

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While “Computer Vision Syndrome” sounds like a cool modification to have in the future, it actually refers to the various symptoms associated with spending so much time looking at computer screens. These screens force our eyes to work harder as there is little contrast and difficulty distinguishing letters from backgrounds. They include computer screens, tablets, phones, etc., and make headaches, eye strain, blurred vision, and dry eyes easier to develop. To prevent this from happening, health experts recommend putting screen filters on your devices, turning off blue lights, blinking more, and taking frequent breaks.

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