Serious eye strain caused by digital devices
Our modern lives are inseparable from digital devices such as smartphones and computers. In addition to long hours of computer work at work, commuting to work and checking smartphones before bed, we constantly strain our eyes throughout our waking hours. As a result, the number of people suffering from “eye strain” such as pain behind the eyes, blurred vision, and redness is rapidly increasing.
Eye strain is more than just eye strain. Excessive tension in the eye muscles (ciliary muscles) can cause stiffness in the neck and shoulders, chronic headaches, and even disrupt the balance of the autonomic nervous system, which can lead to systemic problems such as irritability and sleep disorders (VDT syndrome). It is essential to take care of your eyes with daily eye care before the symptoms become serious.
3 eye care habits to reset tired eyes
We will introduce effective methods to relieve eye strain that can be easily incorporated into your daily life.
1. Promote blood circulation with a hot eye mask Warming your eyes is the simplest and most effective way to relax tense ciliary muscles and improve blood flow. Relax for 5 to 10 minutes by using a commercially available disposable hot eye mask or by placing a ``steam towel’’ on your eyes, which is a towel that has been wetted with water, lightly wrung out, and heated in the microwave for a few tens of seconds. If you do it before bedtime, you will also get a good night’s sleep.
2. Take regular breaks with the 20-20-20 rule The 20-20-20 rule is recommended as a worldwide guideline to prevent eye strain while working on a computer. This involves looking at a screen for 20 minutes and then resting your eyes by staring at a distant scene more than 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds. Looking into the distance relaxes the focus adjustment muscles and resets accumulated fatigue.
3. Pressing pressure points and stretching the eyeballs It is also effective to gently stimulate the pressure points around the eyes. Push for a few seconds on the inside of your eyebrows (sanschiku), between the inner corner of your eyes and the base of your nose (seimei), and on your temples (sun) for a few seconds. In addition, ``eyeball stretching,’’ which involves closing your eyes tightly and then opening them quickly, or slowly moving your eyeballs up, down, left, and right, can improve blood flow to the muscles around your eyes and help restore your ability to focus. On days when your eyes are overworked, take care of your precious eyes with these cares.