Over the past few years, use of computers and mobile phones has increased due to being accessible, affordable and becoming necessary for everyday work. In the past one year, use of these has increased almost threefold. Reason was lockdowns and online classes and work put in place to prevent spread of Covid-19 infection. The outcome of this has been increase in visual problems, due to eye strain in people, including school-going children. Use of these devices is here to stay. Hence, it is necessary to create awareness among people regarding keeping eyes healthy and avoiding visual problems. This is more so for youngsters, as any visual problem developing at this age can be stopped and even reverted at this age.

Eye strain occurs due to looking at screens of mobile phones/computers for long hours continuously. The computer should be placed such that adequate light falls on the screen and keyboard. Similarly, one should avoid mobile phone screens for a long time, particularly in dim light or dark. After working for an hour or so with such equipment, a person should take a break and move out in open space for about 15-20 minutes. Here, one should fix the gaze on some far object. Children should be encouraged to be more in open spaces in their leisure time.   

Avoid exposure of eyes to strong sunlight. Sunlight is beneficial for the body in multiple ways. But it can also harm the eyes causing premature cataracts and macular degeneration. Good quality sunglasses and sun caps should be used, while moving in the sun. Smoking and alcohol are harmful for vision in multiple ways, hence best avoided. A diet containing fresh green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, is useful for   strengthening the eye muscles and improving sight.   

Those having a chronic problem like hypertension and or diabetes should keep it well-controlled by adhering to the prescribed diet and regularly taking medicines for it, otherwise any one of these conditions can affect eye sight. Rubbing the eyes with contaminated hands can be a source of infection, some of which affect eye sight permanently. Good handwashing can prevent this. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps to boost immunity which prevents infections, including of eyes. Some sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, syphilis, and et cetera, damage the eyes and affect vision.  Sexual discipline helps to avoid these diseases and prevents damage to eyesight. Those using contact lenses should be very particular about keeping them clean. Their cleanliness should be maintained as per the instructions in the product leaflet. One should never go to sleep with contact lenses on. Similarly, eye glasses used should be cleaned with a soft and clean cloth, before use. Any chronic dust or contamination over the contact lenses or eye glasses can affect vision and deteriorate it further.  Dust can again be a source of infection and inflammation of the eyes, which affects vision.

Women using eye makeup should be careful to see that it does not damage their eye sight. Cheap mascara, eyeliners, and other eye products should be avoided, which can cause allergic reactions and inflammation in the eyes. If there is itching, irritation or discomfort after using any eye product, it should be avoided in future. Makeup should be removed before going to bed in the night, otherwise residual eye makeup can harm the eyes in more than one way.

Specific exercises are available for strengthening the eye muscles. Done regularly, in adults, they can halt the progression of eye damage. In youngsters, they can even restore weak eye sight back to normal.  Only thing needed is patience and regularity.

Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist internal medicine

rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk