On a cold winter morning, Uncle Zhang turned on his smartphone in the warm living room as usual. There were snowflakes outside the window, but there was warmth inside the house. He had just picked up a new game of Go and was ready to take on a few games. Next to her, Grandma Li is intently reading the latest health information on her tablet. Two hours passed, and Uncle Zhang suddenly felt dry eyes and blurred vision. Grandma Li also complained that her eyes felt tired and even had some headaches.
This is not an isolated case. Similar scenes are becoming more and more common in our daily lives, especially in winter, when we are more inclined to use various electronic gadgets indoors. But have you ever wondered how these habitual behaviors quietly affect our eye health?
In winter, as the temperature drops, we usually increase indoor heating, which leads to a decrease in air humidity. This dry environment poses a particular challenge for the eyes, especially for people who use electronics for long periods of time. Dry air accelerates the evaporation of tears, leading to dry eyes and increasing the risk of dry eyes. It's not just a matter of comfort, long-term dry eye can also cause damage to the eyes and affect vision.
When using electronics in the winter, our eyes need to be put under more strain due to indoor heating and less outdoor activities. The blue light emitted by the screen may cause eye strain, and long-term exposure may also affect sleep cycles. In addition, people tend to stay in one position for long periods of time in winter, which causes the eyes to focus excessively on the screen, reducing the number of blinks and exacerbating the problem of dry eyes.
To cope with these challenges, regular eye rest and exercise are recommended. For example, for every 20 minutes of using electronic devices, look into the distance for 20 seconds to relieve eye strain. In addition, it is also very important to ensure that there is enough humidity in the room, which can be achieved by using a humidifier. Maintaining proper indoor temperature and humidity can significantly reduce the risk of dry eyes, while also helping to reduce other health problems caused by dryness.
In this digital age, electronics have become a part of our lives, especially in winter, when people are more inclined to be indoors and face screens for a long time. However, this habit poses a potential threat to eye health. Here are some key strategies for using electronics scientifically to protect your eyes.
To reduce eye strain, it's crucial to follow the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes of use of electronic devices, look at a distance of 20 feet (about 6 meters) and gaze for 20 seconds. This helps to reduce strain and fatigue in the eyes.
Adjust the brightness of your electronic device screen to match your surroundings. A screen that is too bright or too dark can add to the strain on the eyes. Using night mode or reading mode can reduce the effects of blue light, which is more eye-friendly.
Maintain an appropriate distance between the screen and your eyes, typically 20 to 28 inches (about 50 to 70 cm), with the top of the screen slightly below eye level to reduce the portion of the screen that your eyes are exposed to.
Increase the font size and reduce the strain on your eyes. Make sure the screen is clear to avoid squinting at the screen. Using artificial tears or eye moisturizers, especially in dry air, can help relieve dry eyes.
In addition to direct eye protection, creating an eye-friendly environment is essential to protect eyesight.
Use soft indoor lighting and avoid direct or strong light in the eyes. Indoor light should be evenly distributed to reduce screen reflections and glare.
In winter, indoor temperatures tend to be warmer and the air is dry. Using a humidifier can increase indoor humidity and relieve dry eyes. Keep the room temperature within a suitable range and avoid overheating.
Having some greenery indoors will not only beautify the environment, but also help to purify the air and increase humidity. Open windows regularly to keep indoor air fresh and reduce eye sensitivity to dust and other irritants. Adjust the position of computer screens and other screen devices to avoid direct reflections and glare from windows or other light sources.