Khaberni - Dr. Tatiana Pavlova, an associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Pirogov University, reported that prolonged use of electronic devices could ultimately lead to eye dryness and temporary vision loss.
According to the doctor, continuously looking at a close object while using electronic devices strains various muscle groups in the eye, which over time may lead to eye fatigue, dryness, and temporary vision loss.
The doctor explains that the accommodating muscles inside the eye tense up to change the shape of the lens for focusing, while the muscles around the eye maintain fixation on the specific object. When working closely for long periods, these muscles remain tense, gradually increasing eye strain.
Eye exercises to relieve strain
Pavlova points out that practicing eye exercises helps to:
Relieve eye muscle strain.
Improve blood circulation.
Enhance focus and reduce the risk of spasms in the accommodating muscles, especially in children.
She recommends practicing the exercises twice to three times daily, especially after 20-30 minutes of reading or working in front of the screen. The exercises include:
Resting the gaze by looking away: every 20 minutes of working on a computer or phone, look at an object about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Marker on glass exercise: Look at a distance through a window for 20 seconds, then to a marker on the glass from about 12-16 inches away, and repeat five times.
Eye drawing exercise: Slowly move your gaze up and down, left and right, and in a circle in both directions.
Blinking exercise: Blink rapidly for 30 seconds then close eyes to relax, noting that the normal blinking rate is once every 10-12 seconds.
The doctor affirms that these simple measures help protect the eyes and reduce problems resulting from prolonged use of electronic devices.
