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Keep an EYE
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Computer users should not be cavalier about eye care
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— Photo: Paul Noronha
It is common for computer users to have dry eyes.
EXCESSIVE STRAIN on the eyes, especially during examinations, has given rise to some eye-related problems among students. Some of the common problems are as follows:
Dry eye
This problem arises due to the imbalance in the quantity or quality of tears and is associated with gritty eyes, pricking or burning sensation, irritation or a feeling of a foreign body in the eyes. When suffering from dry eyes, avoid contact lens wear, use lubricating eye drops and reduce the time of work on computers.
Care should be taken not to have the draught from a fan or air conditioner directed on the face as it could worsen the symptoms.
Computer users
It is common for computer users to have dry eyes. This is because we don't blink much, and keep our eyes wide open when working at the computer, resulting in drying up of the tear film.
Moreover, use of corrective lenses that are inappropriate for the user's position and distance from the screen add to the problem as do minor visual defects such as astigmatism that might go unnoticed unless intense computer use exaggerates them. It would be a good idea to follow these rules:
Lower your computer screen so that the centre of the screen is four to eight inches below your eye level and at a viewing distance of 20-28 inches. Use artificial tears as recommended by your doctor to re-wet and lubricate your eyes.
If you are seated in a draught or near an air vent, try to change your seating or position and direct the draught away from your eyes.
Low humidity or fumes aggravate a dry eye condition.
Take frequent breaks. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. This simply means every 20 minutes, look away beyond 20 feet and blink 20 times. One more common eye problem that affects students and adults alike is red eye.
The most visible symptom is redness of the eye, which could be due to fatigue and strain.
Reading in poor light, lack of sleep, poor contact lens hygiene, allergies due to contact lenses, infections such as conjunctivitis, and dust cause red eye.
To conclude, if there is prolonged discomfort from any of these eye problems or a marked change in vision is noticed, you should immediately have your eye examined by a specialist.
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