Although eyes help us carry on our daily chores and appreciate the beauty of the nature, they are one of the most abused organs of the body.

Researches have,for long, warned that sitting for long hours in front of the computer screen(s) can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. But now a new term has been coined – Computer Vision Syndrome – a temporary condition resulting from focusing the eyes on a computer (digital) display for long, uninterrupted periods. It manifests with headaches, blurred vision, neck pain, red eyes, eye fatigue, eye strain, irritated eyes, feeling of dizziness and sometimes difficulty refocusing the eyes. These symptoms are worsened by improper lighting conditions (people working in dark when others in the room are sleeping).

We don’t realise the importance of vision. We sit for hours in front of the digital screens(be it computer, smartphone or tabs) little realising that we are not letting the eyes rest; and when we get symptoms of eye abuse we run around looking for a diagnosis not accepting that we are abusing our eyes.Mobile/ smart phones have literally weaned us away from our social circles i.e family members and friends.

We have become gadget freak(s) which is and is going to take a toll on our eyes and consequently on our vision. Right from getting up in the morning, or even when we wake up in the night for nature calls, the first thing we do is check our smart phone or tab for messages and mails and later in the day before going to sleep we check our gadget for any messages,mailsetc. Not to talk of teenagers playing games on hand held gadgets, who do not even blink for long periods thus inviting dry eyes at an early age.

Also, screens of handheld devices are smaller than the computers, which translates to straining our eyes while reading a message, an email or playing game(s) on them.

Following tips will help in reducing abuse of our eyes:

• At regular intervals, say after every hour,we should look at a distant object and then refocus on the screen; repeat this 5-7 times.
• Every thirty minutes or so blink eyes rapidly for 30 seconds
• Always ensure that the screen is clean and not dust clogged.
• Maintain correct distance while looking at a screen else it may increase eye strain and cause more discomfort
• Drink at least 2 litres of water
• If having problems get eyes checked by an eye specialist
• Consume vision friendly foods – fruits, green leafy vegetables, oily fish, almonds etc