How Do I Prevent Vision Loss?

There is not one solution for preventing vision loss but a vareity of ways to help ensure the avoidance of eye strain and maintaining healthy eyes.

The 20-20-20 Rule:

This rule states that for every 20 minutes of staring at a screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Since we blink about 15 times per minute normally but only 5-7 times per minute when using a screen² , using a screen can cause irritated eyes and eye strain. There is a name for this usage of screens causing eye strain: Computer Vision Sydrome (CVS). Symptoms of CVS include decreased vision, headaches, and stinging eyes. In one study, it took only 2 hours of screen time for symtoms of CVS to apperar in participants.

Thus, It is crucial to rest the eyes in between seeing screens. This 20-20-20 rule does just that.

Limit Screen Time

The average person spends about 7 hours a day looking at an electronic screen¹ . It is understandable that one cannot just quit their job that requires them to look at screens, - if it is unavoidable to look at screens, see the above rule - but screens can be limited in other ways, such as at night.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends to stop using screens 30 minutes before bed.² At the Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation, Joanna A. Cooper, M.D., stated, "two or more hours of screen time in the evening can seriously disrupt the melatonin surge needed to fall sleep." Not enough sleep can result in sore eyes, and it is always recommended to restrain from putting strain on the eyes.

Get Enough Sleep

As stated previously, not getting enough sleep can put strain on the eyes, but how much sleep should one get?

Recommended Guidelines are listed below.