The end of summer is approaching, and with it comes the return to routine after the holiday period. It is a time to face new challenges for young people starting a new school year and perhaps also for older people returning to the workplace. And among them is that of maintaining optimum visual quality to enable them to tackle all tasks effectively.
You have probably heard a lot of advice in different media to keep your eye health in optimal conditions, such as taking breaks and adjusting the lighting of the screen, but in this article, we are going to try to take things a step further and give you some extra tips on how to take care of your eyesight.
The Dangers of Daily Routine on your Eyes
Today, we have witnessed a dramatic increase in the amount of time we spend in front of screens, a trend that has been steadily on the rise in recent years. Factors such as the growing importance of video conferencing, the implementation of online learning and the consolidation of working from home as part of the new normal have contributed significantly to this reality. While these modalities have brought convenience and flexibility to our daily lives, they have also brought with them a number of eye health challenges that we cannot ignore.
Eyestrain, dry eyes and other eye-related problems have become more common due to prolonged exposure to screens. Eyestrain, in particular, can manifest itself with symptoms such as blurred vision, tired eyes, headaches and difficulty focusing on close objects. Dry eyes, on the other hand, can cause irritation, itching and a gritty sensation in the eyes, which can be extremely uncomfortable.
However, there is no cause for alarm, as there are effective solutions to mitigate these inconveniences and keep visual health in an optimal state. At Clínica Oftalmológica Castanera we offer different treatments to eliminate the effects of dry eye. Our specialists, after an in-depth examination, will decide the most suitable treatment for each case.
Back to School: Be aware of any symptoms.
For students, it is of utmost importance that parents, teachers and caregivers are extremely vigilant for any signs that may indicate the possibility of visual problems. These signs can manifest themselves in a variety of ways, and it is essential to recognise them early in order to remedy them as soon as possible and avoid potential school failure due to poor vision.
Watching for squinting when reading or performing visual tasks, which could indicate difficulties in focusing or sharpness of vision, is a sign that should not be overlooked. Similarly, if the student rubs his or her eyes frequently, it may be an indication of eye irritation or fatigue due to undiagnosed problems.
Recurrent headaches after reading or visual activities may be a symptom of eyestrain, which is often related to uncorrected refractive problems. In addition, if the student manifests difficulty seeing both near and far objects, this could also be an indication of an underlying visual problem that needs to be evaluated by a professional.
Early detection of any ocular abnormality is essential, as it allows any condition to be addressed and treated appropriately before it has a significant impact on a student’s academic performance and overall well-being. Therefore, encouraging parents and educators to be vigilant and responsive to these signs can make all the difference to young people’s educational lives and visual futures.
Care for your Study/Work Space
Taking time to properly organise your study space is essential for both students and adults returning to work. Keeping your desk tidy is essential to avoid distractions and optimise performance and productivity. To ensure that your environment is visually appropriate, it is important to pay attention to certain key details.
Firstly, proper lighting plays a key role. Make sure the lighting in your studio area is bright enough and does not cause shadows on your desk or screen. Natural light is the best option whenever possible, as it reduces eye fatigue. However, if natural lighting is limited, opt for artificial lighting that is neither too bright nor too dim.
In addition, maintaining a comfortable distance between your eyes and the books or computer screen is essential. This prevents you from having to strain your eyes by moving too close or too far away from reading materials. For children, it is especially important to make sure that their desks and chairs are adjusted to their height to prevent them from having to tilt their heads forward or backward to see properly. These awkward positions can cause eyestrain and long-term postural problems.
If you spend a lot of time in front of the computer, you may also consider wearing glasses with blue light filters. These glasses help reduce eyestrain caused by exposure to digital screens.
Smart Breaks
An effective technique for both students and workers is to take regular breaks. Ideally, every 30 minutes, look away from the screen or textbook and look as far away as possible, about 6 or 7 metres, for about half a minute. This helps to relax the eye muscles and reduce eyestrain.
In addition to these types of breaks, it is also very convenient to spend time outdoors after school and work. These activities not only provide visual respite, but also promote overall healthy development.
Regular Eye Examinations
Regardless of age, one of the best pieces of advice we can give is to have regular eye examinations. Prevention is always the best option, as many eye diseases show certain symptoms before they reach a point where remedying them is more complicated. For this reason, it is more than advisable to have your eyesight checked regularly as a preventive measure to be able to anticipate the onset of these diseases.
At Clínica Oftalmológica Castanera we recommend at least one ophthalmological check-up per year. However, if you notice any visual problems, it is important to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to address the problem as soon as possible.
If it has been a while since you have had your eyesight checked, we recommend that you do so as soon as possible. You can make an appointment with us through this website in the Online Appointment section or by calling 93417 98 03.
