Small Ways to Look After Your Eyes in a Screen-Heavy World

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I think eyesight is one of those things most of us take for granted.

Even if you wear glasses or contact lenses, you expect to put them on or pop them in and be able to see. It’s only when that stops working quite as it should that you realise how much you relied on it.

Eye health is something I’ve become much more aware of over the past few years. I have keratoconus, and last November I developed hydrops in one eye. I’m now potentially looking at a corneal transplant, and every time something changes with my eyes, it reminds me just how much I took my old normal for granted.

So, with National Eye Health Week taking place from 21st to 27th September, I’ve teamed up with TheraTears to talk about some simple ways we can all be a little kinder to our eyes.

Screens Aren’t Going Anywhere

I’ll admit I’m probably not the poster girl for reducing screen time.

As I’m writing this, I have Whatnot running on my phone, I’m working on my laptop and Supernatural is on the TV.

Three screens at once. Whoops.

However, screens are also a huge part of my life. I use them for blogging, social media, talking to friends and family, watching TV and, of course, procrastinating. They’re also a link to the outside world, particularly as someone who can’t get out as much as I’d like.

So simply saying “use screens less” isn’t always realistic.

In fact, UK adults now spend an average of 4.5 hours online each day, while research highlighted by TheraTears suggests 62.6% of UK employees experience digital eye strain.

There are, however, some really simple things we can do.

TheraTears suggests reducing screen glare, increasing text size, remembering to blink fully, staying hydrated and taking screen-free breaks where possible.

I already use larger text, adjust my screen brightness and turn the blue light off at around 10pm. Increasing the text size in particular is such a simple thing, yet I don’t think we always think to do it.

As for taking screen breaks, I am absolutely guilty of taking a break from my laptop by picking up my phone. I’m not entirely convinced that counts.

What About Before Bed?

TheraTears also suggests swapping your screen for a book before bed to give your eyes a rest and help you wind down.

This is something I would absolutely do if I could. Unfortunately, my eyesight means I can no longer physically read books, although before that I was always a real-book-over-a-Kindle person.

These days, audiobooks are how I read, so my phone does come to bed with me. I can put my audiobook on and then leave the screen alone while I listen.

So, while leaving my phone outside the bedroom isn’t going to happen, I can still give my eyes a break from looking at it.

If you can read physical books, though, swapping the evening scroll for a few chapters sounds like a pretty good idea. Charity shops can be fantastic for cheap books, as can places such as Awesome Books, which I recently wrote about.

Where Do TheraTears Come In?

As part of its National Eye Health Week campaign, TheraTears is highlighting two products.

TheraTears Screen Eyes 5-in-1 Eye Drops are designed for use after long periods in front of digital devices and are formulated to protect, restore, soothe, hydrate and refresh the eyes. TheraTears Overnight Restore Eye Drops, meanwhile, contain hyaluronic acid and cross-linked hyaluronic acid and are designed to help restore and replenish the tear film overnight.

I haven’t personally used either as I have prescribed eye drops for my own eye problems, but my mum has used TheraTears and really rates them.

Both products come in 10ml bottles and are available from Boots, Tesco and Amazon.

Of course, persistent problems with your eyes should always be discussed with a qualified eye-care professional, and make sure you check the product information before using any eye drops.

Small Changes Are Better Than None

I’m certainly not about to pretend I’m giving up my screens.

However, making the text bigger, adjusting the brightness, remembering to look away occasionally and perhaps choosing an audiobook over another half-hour of scrolling all feel achievable.

And, if nothing else, National Eye Health Week is a good reminder not to take our eyes quite so much for granted.

What about you: how much of your day do you think you spend looking at a screen?

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