The Right Way to Take Care of your Eyes
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16-18
The onset of the pandemic made educational institutions switch to the digital mode of learning and hence we all witnessed a rise in our screen time. This worried the parents and led to the rise of questions about eye care during online classes and how to reduce eye strain during online classes.
So, to discuss and gain awareness on this topic, we had a very effective panel discussion with two reputed experts:
- Dr. Rakesh Bansal: Practicing Consultant and Eye surgeon.
- Dr. Mala Kapoor: Founder, Director, and Principal, Silver Line Prestige School
She has won a National Award from NCERT and was also awarded by the Ministry of Science and Environment. Her exemplary efforts have made Silver Line Prestige Schools one of the best educational institutes in the country.
Throughout the discussion, Dr. Bansal and Dr. Kapoor enlightened us with numerous facts and suggestions that are presented below.
PANDEMIC AND HIGH SCREEN TIME MYTHS
The session commenced with Dr. Kapoor talking about how the increased screen time during online classes worried the parents and how the school authorities deal with their concerns to which Dr. Bansal busted the most common myth of all the time - 'Increased screen time causes eye problems' by very briefly explaining the anatomy of the human eye and how it functions. He mentioned that the efficiency of one's eye is genetically governed to a great extent.
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SOME EYE CARE TIPS BY OUR PANELLISTS:
- Frequent blinking: As Dr. Kapoor mentioned, it is common for us to forget to blink when focused on something important or engaging. Similarly, activities like online classes can lead to students doing this. Frequent blinking is good for issues like corneal dryness.
- The 20/20/2 Rule: Both Dr. Bansal and Dr. Kapoor mentioned this tip. It is advised for everyone to focus on a distance at least 20 feet apart and walk for at least 2 minutes after working for every 20 minutes. This keeps the eye healthy and relaxed.
- Maintain the right posture: Posture affects our eyes more than we think. Incorrect posture like sitting at weird angles while reading or watching can lead to headaches and achy eyeballs. Hence it is advisable to maintain a decent posture so there is the least amount of pressure on the eyes.
- Set a proper humid environment: This is very necessary to prevent problems like dry eyes, itching in the eyes, teary eyes, etc. So it is said to set up a suitable humid environment when working for a long duration in front of the screen to keep the eyes moisturized.
- Have a proper diet: Diet plays an important role in maintaining healthy eyes. Dr. Bansal advises to include in the diet more and more salads as raw foods and vegetables are rich in antioxidants which are very beneficial for our eyes.
Here are the answers by our panelists to some FAQs concerned with eye problems related to screen time.
Are anti-glare glasses required for people using screens for a longer duration?
As Dr. Bansal said, the devices we use nowadays, are of the latest technology and mostly don't emit any infrared or ultraviolet rays which are harmful to the eyes and hence no such glasses are required for the users.
What is the right amount of screen time for anyone not using anti-glare glasses?
Dr. Bansal and Dr. Kapoor believe that with proper posture, lighting, and blinking, one can use the screen for as long as needed.
What is the role of eye drops? Are they necessary?
According to Dr. Bansal, eye drops are not necessary for kids and young children. They may be used by adults with issues like dry eyes.
MESSAGE FOR THE PARENTS FROM OUR PANELLISTS
The most important message by our panelists for the parents out there is to accept the new normal and understand the fact that the visual requirements of every person vary. Parents must not blame and scold the children if they get diagnosed with poor eyesight or other eye problems. Rather they should support them and make them comfortable. We must go with the right facts and have to realize that screen time won't affect eyesight if children follow all the suggested tips, take proper sleep and eat the right diet.
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