Lockdown screen fatigue is leading to ‘coronavision’

MILLIONS of people could be suffering from “coronavision” as staring at a screen for long periods of time during lockdown can strain the eyes, the College of Optometrists has warned.

One in five adults in Britain reported a deterioration in their eyesight in the past four months, with a third blaming too much time watching television and using computers, according to a study of 2,000 people by the industry body.

Symptoms include blurred vision, difficulty focusing and red or painful eyes. The college is urging people to get their eyes checked, as many sufferers may not seek help as they see their symptoms as trivial.

However, more than half of those who took part in the study said they would avoid attending an appointment with an optometrist as they fear it would put them at risk of catching Covid-19.

Clinical adviser Dr Susan Blakeney said: “The research showed us that many people believe that spending more time in front of screens has worsened their vision.

“Working from home, video calls with friends and family, watching more TV, time spent looking at your phone … all that screen time adds up.

“The good news is that this is unlikely to cause any permanent harm to your vision.

“However, it is very important that if you feel your vision has deteriorated or if you are experiencing any problems with your eyes, such as them becoming red or painful, you contact your local optometrist. They will be able to discuss this with you and advise if you need to come in to see them.

“We understand people are concerned about contracting coronavirus.

“But all optometrists should be following our guidance to ensure your visit is safe.”

The college advises resting eyes every 20 minutes, blinking regularly, using eye drops, positioning screens below eye level and increasing the size of text to avoid strain.