Whenever night falls, Grandma Li always Xi to lie on the warm bed and turn on her old-fashioned tablet that has been with her for many years. Her children and grandchildren are all working in the field, and through this small screen, she can see their news, browse some health tips, and even keep in touch with old friends who are far away. For Grandma Li, this Xi is not only relaxing, but also a bridge to the outside world.
Recently, however, she has started noticing that her eyes feel tired and dry after staring at a screen for long periods of time, and even blurry vision at times. At first, she thought it was just ordinary fatigue, but when it became more and more frequent, even affecting her daytime vision, she began to worry.
Grandma Lee's troubles are not unique. As smart devices become more and more popular, more and more elderly people, like her, are facing such health challenges while enjoying the convenience brought by technology. The eyes are the windows to the soul, but in this digital age, this window of ours is being tested like never before.
Eye Health in the Elderly: Facing the Invisible Challenge of the Screen
As they age, older people face multiple challenges to their eyes, especially in the current digital age. Staring at the screen of a mobile phone or tablet for long periods of time poses a threat to the eye health of the elderly that cannot be ignored.
Physiological Changes: Aging and Vision
Hardening of the lens: As we age, the lens in the eye gradually hardens and turns yellow, affecting light transmission and focusing.
Macular degeneration: a common eye disease in the elderly, which affects the clarity of the central visual field.
Dry eyes: Decreased tear production, resulting in dry and uncomfortable eyes.
The impact of screen time
Eye strain: Prolonged staring at an electronic screen can cause eye strain and worsen dry eye symptoms.
Impaired sleep quality: The blue light emitted by the screen can interfere with the sleep cycle, especially when used at night.
The importance of coping strategies
Awareness-raising: Understand the risks to eye health in older adults and the need for change.
Precautions: Take appropriate measures to mitigate the negative effects of the screen on the eyes.
Three effective ways to protect your eyes
1. Screen adjustment: the key to comfort
When using a phone or tablet, screen brightness and font size are important factors that affect eye comfort. A screen that is too bright or too dark can add to the burden on the eyes. The appropriate brightness should be one that doesn't sting or strain the eyes in indoor light. Most devices offer an automatic brightness adjustment feature that adjusts the brightness of the screen based on changes in the light of the surrounding environment. In addition, increasing the font size can reduce the focus pressure on the eyes, which is especially important for older people. It is recommended to regularly check and adjust the device settings to ensure the best visual experience.
2. The 20-20-20 rule: The golden rule to prevent eye fatigue
Looking at a screen for long periods of time can cause eye strain. To alleviate this fatigue, it is recommended to implement the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, shift your gaze from the screen to at least 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds. This simple action helps to relax the eyes and reduce the stress that comes with focusing on the same point. The scientific basis for this rule is that changing the line of sight promotes the relaxation of the muscles in the eye, thereby preventing eye fatigue. In your day-to-day life, you can help follow this rule by setting regular reminders.
3. Time management: Arrange the use of electronic devices reasonably
Using electronic devices for long periods of time is a huge challenge for the eyes. In order to protect eyesight, it is recommended to develop and adhere to a reasonable usage schedule. Avoid using your phone or tablet for hours on end without interruption. It is recommended to rest for at least 10 minutes after each use. During this break, light physical activities such as walking or doing some simple stretching exercises can be done. Also, make sure you don't use these devices at least an hour before going to bed at night to reduce the impact of blue light on sleep quality.