is a hot topic in the beauty industry, the less commonly discussed damage it’s doing to our eyes is just as significant. “We have to think of screens like we think of sugar,” says Nicola Alexander-Cross, optometrist and co-founder of modern eyecare brand. “You blink six to eight times less when you look at a screen, causing your eyes to become parched during your Zoom calls.
Even when we’re not on screens, we can be prone to it thanks to our new habit of mask wearing, with some optometrists likening the breath rising from the top of a mask to a mini air-conditioning system, inducing dryness in the eyes. “Your eyes are the only place you can directly observe blood vessels in your body, so they are a window into your general health,” says Alexander-Cross. “Everything from your hormone levels to the health of your heart could be picked up in a routine eye exam.
Taking plenty of scheduled breaks from your screen will not only negate dryness but will also help you feel less foggy. If you can, work near a window and take regular sight breaks by switching your sight to panoramic vision instead of the high-focus visual mode you use at your computer. This allows your field of vision to increase and your brain to receive as much of your visual environment as possible, which will reduce stress and fatigue.