Coronavirus lockdown increases screen time, an expert trick can save your eyes

If you’ve begun working from home as the coronavirus pandemic worsens then you may find that your screen time has gone from 9-5 to… well, 24/7.

You wouldn’t be alone, as research shows that people are now working an average of 11 hours a day during the coronavirus crisis.

The data, from NordVPN Teams – one of the world’s largest suppliers of virtual networks used to enable online working – shows a spike in working hours since March 11.

The UK figure increased from eight hours to the higher figure.

Additionally, employees are beginning to start working earlier, likely due to the lack of a commute.

Now, all that time staring at a screen could be bad for your eyes.

Especially if being bored under lockdown means you’re flipping from computer, to phone, to TV.

Ouch.

And, seeing that we’re supposed to be avoiding touching our faces, it’s not good that we might have the urge to rub tired eyes.

But, why do our eyes hurt when looking at a screen?

It’s because we blink less.

Yep, we blink up to five times less than normal when looking at a digital screen.

How can you stop this from affecting your eyes?

Betony, the resident optometrist at Cubitts Sunglasses & Eyewear Store, advised that we use the 20–20–20 method.

In an email from Cubitt's he said: “Every twenty minutes, take a twenty second break and look twenty feet away from your screen.”

He also advised giving yourself a full 10 minute break every hour to let your eyes rest.

If you haven’t rested them for two hours, then take 20 minutes.

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Other tips which were recommended include using your phone on night mode, not looking at devices for 60 minutes before bed and spending some time outside each day.

If you do choose to go outdoors ensure you are maintaining correct social distance.

Remember: stay safe, stay healthy and stay at home.

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