Looking After Your Eyes in a Screen-Filled World

Screens are everywhere these days, aren't they? Work, scrolling through social media, those Netflix binges. They're handy, no doubt, but they can really take it out of your eyes. Headaches, that dry, gritty feeling, just generally tired eyes – it's your eyes telling you they need a break. The good news is, there are a few simple ways you can ease eye strain. Here's what I've found works.

The 20-20-20 Rule

You may have heard of the 20-20-20 vision rule – so every 20 minutes, you look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Staring at something close up makes your eye muscles tense up. This little break gives them a quick stretch and relaxes them fast. After a week of doing it, that blurry feeling and the ache at the end of the day? Gone. It sounds basic, but honestly, it really delivers.

Step Away From the Screen: Breaks Are Key

Trying to power through hours on a screen might sound like you're being productive, but your eyes really won't thank you for it. All that screen time dries them out and strains them something awful. I've started setting a timer now – every hour, I take five minutes away from the screen. I'll stretch, have a little wander, or just look out the window. My eyes feel so much fresher, and I actually find I can focus better when I get back to work. Plus, your body gets a bit of a rest too – we're not really built for staring at screens non-stop.

Keep Hydrated: Happy Eyes Are Wet Eyes

Staying hydrated may sound obvious, but it really helps for your eyes. If you're dehydrated, it can impact your vision. I keep a water bottle near my work desk and just sip it during the day. It really cuts down on that dry, stinging feeling you can get from a long session in front of a screen. Cutting back on coffee helps too – caffeine can dry you out. Since I've made more of an effort to drink water, my eyes don't bother me half as much.

Blue Light Glasses: They Look Decent and They Help

I have to admit, I thought blue light glasses were a bit of a gimmick – I wasn't totally convinced. But I decided to give them a go anyway, and now I'm sold. Screens chuck out a lot of blue light, and that's been linked to eye strain and even messing with your sleep. These glasses filter some of that blue light out, which eases the load on your eyes. I've been using them for about six months now, and my eyes definitely don't get as tired as quickly, and I seem to sleep better too. Plus, they don't look half bad – so it's style with a purpose, really.

Night Mode: Your Evening Eye Saver

Night mode is brilliant – I started using it a bit late, and I wish I'd done it sooner. It basically switches your screen to warmer colours, so there's less of that blue light. It's perfect for using your devices before bed because it helps stop that wired feeling you can get. I used to just scroll and scroll and then lie awake. Now, with night mode on, my eyes feel more relaxed, and I tend to nod off much easier. It's a small change, but it makes a big difference.

iPOP actually offer blue light glasses that seem to nail this – they're not too pricey, look good, and are comfy to wear. These little habits really do add up – the 20-20-20 rule, taking breaks, drinking water, using the glasses, and switching on night mode. It all helps to keep that eye strain down and your vision protected. Screens aren't going anywhere, so you might as well give your eyes a fighting chance. You can find out more about the 20-20-20 rule.