In‘Sights’

[otw_shortcode_info_box border_type=”border-top-bottom” border_style=”bordered” border_color=”#1f1791″ background_color=”#ffffff” css_class=”boxed”]India’s leading eye-surgeon and globally acclaimed Ophthalmologist, our Community’s eye-prodigy, Dr. Cyres Mehta, shares a few tips on how we can take care of our eyes during the Lockdown.[/otw_shortcode_info_box]

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With all of us confined to our homes and a large number working out of home due to the Pandemic, here are a few tips to take care of your eyes and keep the virus away, considering that the eyes are one of the main portals through which the virus enters the body.

1. Finding The Ideal Workplace Corner At Home: First off, do not put a computer screen/laptop near the window. The difference in the brightness of the screen and the outdoors may cause added eye-strain. Secondly, rearrange your work desk in a way that it is at a distance which does not have you straining your eyes or stretching your neck to see what’s on the screen. The ideal distance that should be maintained is 18-20 inches away from the face. Also, ensure that your eye level is always above the level of the screen – you should always be looking down at the screen.

2. Follow The ‘20-20-20 Rule’: Take a break every 20 minutes and look at any object at least 20 feet away from you, for 20 seconds. Even better, get up and look out of the window. By doing so, the ciliary muscles in the eyes get the much-needed rest.

3. Eyes Off The Phone At Bed-Time: If you are having trouble sleeping at night, one of the main reasons could be that you’re on your smartphone or tablet for hours before sleeping! The ‘blue light’ emitted from these devices tricks the brain into thinking it is still daylight and thereby omits sending the right sensory trigger which brings on the sleep stimulus. So avoid taking your phone/tablets into your beds – that blue light works as the anti-lullaby!

4. Do Not Rub / Touch Eyes Unnecessarily: Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes out of habit. Some new studies show that the virus can potentially be transmitted through the conjunctiva (clear membrane on the front of the eye). In case of dry eyes or fatigue, use eye-drop / artificial tears.

5. Ensure To Wear An N95 Or Better Mask When Stepping Out: You need to ensure that you have worn a proper N95 Mask or a better one, should you need to step out. A single strip of cloth is ineffective. If you can’t find a proper mask, and wish to make your own, then use 2-3 layers of cloth to fashion a mask from it.