5 Ways to Take Care of Your Eyes in Quarantine

By Ysabel Vitangcol on April 18, 2021

Admit it—your screen time’s reached *very* unhealthy levels this 2021, now that we’re well beyond our first anniversary in quarantine, average screen times have spiked for everyone working and studying at home. And even when you’re not working, you’re constantly barraged by anxiety-inducing news pieces, stressful COVID updates, and unwelcome late-night messages from your boss. It’s, to say the least, overwhelming. And according to Susquehanna Health, excessive screen time can result in eye fatigue, loss of foxus, nearsightedness, and at worst, retinal damage. You don’t want to come out of the pandemic with worse vision than you started—or have a tired, haggard-looking eye area. Here are five easy and affordable ways to take care of your eyes while in quarantine.

  1. Invest in a pair of non-prescription, blue light-blocking eye glasses.

Our friends over at Sunnies Studios have developed a new line of affordable, grab-and-go sunglasses that are certified by Intertek to block blue light and electromagnetic rays from your devices. (Here’s a peek at how it works, compared to normal clear lenses.) It’s also got an “anti-reflective coating for reduced screen glare and UV 420 to shield your eyes from the sun,” according to an Instagram post. This is great for those who don’t need prescription glasses but need something to protect their eyes as they work long hours. Best part—they’re available online so you don’t have to leave your safehouse.

  1. Activate your screen time counters, and make sure your device updates you about it.

Apple has a nifty feature that’s been around for a hot minute: Screen Time shows you just how many hours you clock in every day. The best part is you can tweak the settings so that it sends you weekly updates (about whether your average screen time increased or not) + can integrate screen times across your Apple devices…for the truly devastating wake-up call you need to put down your phone. You can also schedule downtimes and app limits if you know yourself to be the type to engage in mindless doomscrolling after a long day.

  1. Limit the number of screens you face, as much as possible.

This is hard for those who truly have no choice but to work with multiple screens. But during your leisure time, try to keep it to one screen at a time (that means putting down your phone if you’re watching Netflix, or closing your laptop if you’re not really using it). Any decrease in radiation and blue light exposure, however little, is a cumulative win.

  1. Avoid rubbing your eyes when you feel tired.

We’ve talked about why you really shouldn’t rub your eyes (even threw in a freaky MRI scan to hammer the point home). Eye rubbing can cause your cornea to become thinner, resulting in keratoconus, which may require you to get glasses or contacts. A better way to soothe your eyes is to take a break from screens, rest in a dark room, and apply a cooling mask or compress to bring down any puffiness or swelling.

  1. Indulge in a special eye treat once in a while.

Your body’s been working hard to keep you going in this pandemic, but a body part we often neglect is our eyes. They’re an integral part of your productivity, and without them, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy your favorite shows and games. So give it a special treat. The Belo Shop’s Eye Care section has tons of goodies to keep your tired eye area hydrated, de-puffed, and glowing, for as low as P990.

You’re taking care of your skin, and you may be working out, but we urge you to not forget about your eyes! *wink*

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