Sheffield optometrist Alex Gage, owner of two practices in Woodseats and Crosspool, said:
‘The big thing with computers and mobile devices is not the devices themselves but the way we use them. If you have a conversation with someone face to face the normal blink rate is once every five to 10 seconds. When we use computers, this drops to once a minute or less.
‘This can also be said for watching a good or exciting film, when blinking is a semi-auto response which slows if we concentrate on something.’
Mr Gage added that screen protectors which reduce the blue light and spectacles with reflection free lenses can also help.
‘My advice is to use them little and often. There is also the 20, 20, 20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds and don’t forget to blink, maybe every time you hit the space bar or enter key. It is just a matter of getting into good habits.’
As screen use in the workplace and the home continues to rise, computer users are encouraged to visit their optometrist for regular eye examinations.
Eye examinations offer a broader health assessment to check the health of your eyes and look for signs of sight-threatening conditions as well as underlying health problems such as diabetes.