Post-Summer Vacation, How to Protect Your Eyes from the Strain of Excess Screen Time

Summer’s relaxed days have waved goodbye. Many of us are back, noses close to our screens. Be it for work, learning, or staying connected, screen time shoots up. But this surge, harmless as it seems, can be a stealthy foe to our eyes. All because of something simple we forget: blinking.

Look at the numbers. Studies toss a surprising fact our way: glued to screens, we blink 60% less. This drop, plain and small, kicks off a chain of woes for our eyes, dryness being the big one. It’s easy to brush off, but less blinking sneaks up, harming our eye health.

The problem? Less blinking leaves our eyes thirsty for moisture and rest, laying out a welcome mat for discomfort and other serious issues. Fear not, though. Guarding your eyes from the strain of hefty screen time is not only vital but also doable.

The fix is in small shifts. Make it a point to hit pause every hour, taking a five-minute break from the screen. This tiny gap lets your eyes bounce back, slashing the risk of strain and other hitches. Plus, remember to blink often, keeping your eyes bathed and comfy. It’s a nip and tuck in your routine, but it throws up a hefty guard for your eye health.

Enter Dr. Michael Cooney, a seasoned vitreoretinal surgeon from Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (VRMNY). His words chime the same tune. With a hefty resume that includes a stint as an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University, he thumbs up the importance of regular breaks and hearty blinking.

His deep dive into learning, snagging an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, stacks up his advice. When a pro like Dr. Cooney flags down these easy yet vital steps for safeguarding your eyes, it’s a call to sit up and listen.

As the post-summer hustle bustles in, make your eye health a top bill. Amid the whirl of growing screen time, small, thoughtful steps like short breaks and regular blinking can beef up your eye’s shield against the downside of extra screen time. And don’t forget, tweak your screen settings to trim blue light and make sure your workspace basks in good light to clip further eye strain.

Plus, up your game by embracing the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, peek at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s a cinch and a nifty trick to give your eyes a break from the screen’s glare. And hey, keep a bottle of artificial tears at hand to moisten your eyes, warding off dryness and irritation.

Be ahead of the game in shielding your eye health. Your eyes are your treasure, and gifting them this care is not a maybe but a must. Roll with these easy tweaks and step into the digital world, eyes bright and hearty. Your eyes will hand you a big thank you.