New research has revealed screens have taken over our lives after it was revealed that the average Brit now spends five and a half hours a day staring at their devices.
More than half the nation now sit through the working week looking at a monitor before winding down the day watching television, which means it’s almost impossible to avoid the harsh blue light of digital devices.
Many of those who work a 9 to 5 start to struggle with their eyesight by 2pm, with 88 per cent of those surveyed saying their eyes feel tired, dry and heavy as a result of constant screen glare.
It also emerged headaches caused by eye strain have affected over one third of office workers and one in five has even experienced blurred or disturbed vision.
The study, commissioned by Hycosan and Optase Eye Care, found 36 per cent of adults admitted they wouldn’t be able to avoid looking at a display for an entire 24-hour period and two in five can’t recall their last screen-free day.
Eye care expert and oculoplastic surgeon, Sabrina Shah-Desai, said: “The results demonstrate how screens have really taken over our lives, they are everywhere we look.”
“Obviously it’s difficult to avoid them, especially in a working environment, but it’s vital that we take steps to look after our eyes and have regular breaks from artificial light and digital devices.
“Office workers, in general, are more prone to dry eye disease as we naturally blink less when concentrating, blinking as few as 1-3 times per minute when focusing on a computer screen versus 15-20 blinks per minute when we’re not.
“It’s these longer periods between blinking where symptoms of dry eyes arise, causing redness and a feeling of ‘grittiness’ and blurred vision.
“Our eyes are essential, and we should treat them well to minimise any long term damage and maintain optimum health.”
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