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Expert shares tips on maintaining eye health during virtual activities
Virtual activities could cause health problems especially for the eyes, such as fatigue and dryness, as students are required to stare at the screens of their computers or smartphones for long periods of time.
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Virtual activities could cause health problems especially for the eyes, such as fatigue and dryness, as students are required to stare at the screens of their computers or smartphones for long periods of time. (Shutterstock/AnnaKoro)
The prolonged global pandemic has forced educational institutions to switch to online teaching and learning activities.
As a result, students including children in elementary schools and kindergartens are forced to interact with teachers or learn various subjects with the help of gadgets and the internet.
This has increased concerns about health problems, such as eyesight strain and fatigue, as students are required to stare at computer screens for long periods of time.
To help maintain eye health, eye specialist Tri Winarti of Gadjah Mada University’s Academic Hospital (RSA UGM) offered some tips.
“One way [to maintain eye health] is to apply the so-called 20-20-20 method,” Tri said in a recent webinar.
Read also: Beware of computer vision syndrome amid the COVID-19 pandemic
She said that the method required students or gadget users to look away from their screen every 20 minutes and toward an object at least 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds.
“After 20 minutes staring at a screen, look away at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds for relaxation purposes,” she said, recommending that people set a written reminder to do this on their computers.
Another method is to adjust screen brightness so that the device does not seem too bright or too dark.
“Adjust the brightness to make it comfortable when in use. For example, set the brightness level at 50 percent,” Tri said.
She also suggested that gadget users make sure that the room they occupy has good lighting and adjust the fan speed of air conditioners to avoid dryness in the eyes. (wng)
