Your Eyes Are The Window To Your Soul

You are most probably reading this article from your smartphone, desktop or other digital devices. Furthermore, if you are with young children, they probably have one in their hands too. The use of gadgets is so prevalent nowadays. While gadgets have certainly helped make life more convenient, there are some downsides, including potential harm to your eyes that come with overuse.

Long hours of using gadgets are harmful to the eyes.
Source: Freepik

It Was The Time Of The Year Again, To Get My Eyes Checked

I visited an optometrist for my regular eye check-up recently. I needed to change my glasses which I had worn for more than four years already. As a writer, I spend a lot of time online, writing news and articles through my gadgets. As a millennial, I can’t avoid using social media to keep myself updated.

Truth be told, I didn’t really think about the condition of my eyes. I often neglected to take care of my eyes, assuming that as long as my eyesight is fine, I don’t have to go for regular check-ups or change my glasses.

Nur Syazriena Ghazali, an optometrist from Optomata said while technology is great, the devices we rely on might be exposing our eyes to a myriad of risks. For instance blurred vision, retinal damage and digital eye strain.

Nur Syazriena Ghazali, a certified eyes Optometrist from Optomata, Bandar Bukit Puchong — *Nur Syazriena Ghazali, a certified Optometrist from* Optomata, Bandar Bukit Puchong.
*Source:* Optomata’s Facebook

“Adults and children alike are using computers, smartphones, tablets, TVs, video games, Fitbits, GPS devices and other gadgets on a daily basis.”
Nur syazriena ghazali, optometrist of optomata

“More than 50% of sight loss is preventable. Getting your eyes tested can help prevent, or limit, the damage caused by certain eye conditions,” she said. Most of the time, we stare at smartphones for long durations. Staring at a backlit LED screen, especially at night, has a negative impact on vision, and causes digital eye strain. In certain cases, the symptoms of eye strain are a manifestation of an underlying eye condition. So, it is important that we know them and receive timely treatment,” she added.

Keeping Our Eyes Healthy

Technology is everywhere! From using the computer at work or school, enjoying a movie with friends, to watching Netflix after a long day. Same as our best friend – smartphones. It is not only for communication, but also as an entertainment tool. However, most of us are unaware that prolonged usage of our devices may be damaging to our eyes.

Eyes: A lady with her smartphone while waiting for the bus — Most of us use our smartphones everywhere, including when waiting for public transport.
Source: Freepik

Five Ways To Prevent Further Damage To Your Eyes

1.1 Blink And Use Eye Drops

Remember to blink! Staring at the phone screen for a long time can lead to your eyes becoming dry and sore. This can be very uncomfortable, even painful. But it can be avoided by making sure that you blink regularly. If you find that your eyes are dry, the right eye drops might just be the solution such as artificial tears and allergy drops.

*Using eye drop to moisturise your eyes and relieve eye-sore.*
*Source:* Freepik

1.2 The 20-20-20 Rule

According to Medical News Today, a Californian optometrist by the name of Jeffrey Anshel designed the 20-20-20 Rule. Its purpose is to encourage people to take breaks and prevent eye fatigue. When following the rule, a person takes a 20-second break from looking at a screen every 20 minutes. During the break, the person focuses on an object 20 feet (six metres) away, which relaxes the eye muscles.

It is important to have a 20-minute-break from looking at the gadgets' screen to improve our eyesight — It is important to have a 20-second break every 20-minute from looking at the gadgets’ screen to relieve eye strain.
Source: Freepik

1.3 Set A Larger Font Size

This is an easy step to take with most smartphones. It will also help your eyes a great deal so that you won’t have to squint your eyes. Simply go to the settings menu on your smartphone, and change the font to a larger size.

The larger font in smartphones can help the eyes easily pick out bold words.
Source: Freepik

1.4 Schedule Regular Eye Checks

Visit your optometrists regularly. Regular eye checks are crucial to detect eye-related problems as soon as possible. Visit an optometrist at least once a year. If there’s a history of eye diseases in the family, it is more important to do so. As people often say, ‘The eyes are the window to the soul’.

Nur Syazriena, the optometrist of Optomata is conducting eyes check to her patient. — Nur Syazriena, the optometrist of Optomata is conducting eye checks on her patient using an ophthalmoscope, an instrument used for examining the interior structures of the **eye**, especially the retina.
Source: Optomata’s Facebook

Have You Had Your Eyes Checked Recently?

When was the last time you had your eyes checked by an optometrist? Have you experienced sudden changes in your eyesight such as flashes, blurriness or headaches from eye strains?

Now, it is time to go for an eye check to keep your eyes healthy. Optomata is a one-stop centre for primary eye care and eye health screening. It provides a free eye screening test which includes optic nerve check, retinal check, and vision check. When you have a better understanding of your eye condition, you will enjoy good eyesight.

Eye: Optomata at Bandar Bukit Puchong. — Optomata at Bandar Bukit Puchong with its theme, Pink.
Source: Author

Besides eye screening facilities, Optomata also provides contact lens fitting for its customers.
Source: Author

Make your appointment with Optomata now.

Telephone: +603 8066 7756