Nowadays, vision problems and poor eye health have become pressing concerns, especially as more and more people spend time on digital devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers. In Europe, vision problems are fairly common due to its ageing population. Some common causes of sight loss in the continent include refractive disorders, cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. In Western Europe, over 8.5 million people are affected with moderate-severe vision loss as a result of refractive disorders. In 2020, almost 7.5% of the population was affected with a near vision impairment, 3.6% had moderate-severe vision loss, and 2% had a mild vision affliction.
For WordPress developers specifically, it’s especially important to pay attention to your vision and eye health. As a WordPress developer, you may spend hours designing and optimising a WordPress site. This means prolonged exposure to your computer and mobile screens, which can negatively impact your eyes over time. Below, we’ll be sharing some essential eye health tips for WordPress developers to maintain good vision and eye health:
Wearing blue light glasses
One way increased screen time can impact the eyes is through blue light emission and exposure. Nowadays, digital screens emit varying levels of blue light that can affect vision and eye health after prolonged periods. Studies have shown that blue light can negatively impact sleep quality and lead to eye strain.
Fortunately, getting and wearing a pair of blue light glasses can help mitigate these adverse effects. Online eyewear retailer Eyebuydirect’s line of blue light filtering glasses can protect the eyes from blue-violet light in the 400 to 455nm range. This helps preserve visual comfort while still allowing the good kind of blue-turquoise light to enter the eye. Blue light glasses are compatible with prescription lenses and can come in various lens coatings like EBDBlue 360, a premium anti-glare coating, and or EBDBlue Smart, which features light-adjusting or transition tech, allowing clear lenses to turn into a darker tint when outdoors or under bright lights.
Taking frequent breaks
In a previous post sharing time management tips for WordPress developers, we highlighted the importance of scheduling breaks and relaxation time. Whether using time management apps and tools or simply reminding yourself to step away from the screen once in a while, taking frequent breaks is the easiest way to ensure your eyes aren’t overly exposed to blue light from digital screens.
Eye doctors and experts have long recommended the 20-20-20 rule, which requires you to fixate on an object at least 20 feet (or six meters) away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This is a simple way to take screen breaks without significantly impacting your WordPress grind, especially if you’ve got deadlines to follow. While prior studies lack significant evidence that the 20-20-20 rule helps mitigate or minimise digital eye strain, it’s still good practice that you can do without having to spend money on additional tools or resources.
Prioritising healthy snacks
Finally, there’s no preventing the occasional snacking when you’re busy coding or optimising a WordPress site. Snacking is especially common for those working late nights. While staying fed and full is important to be able to function correctly, it’s also essential to pay attention to the snacks you have when working. Your eye doctor can recommend specific foods or ingredients that are good for eye health, and fortunately, they’re quite accessible.
Studies looking at the relationship between nutrition and eye health cited foods rich in green vegetables and fish as a great source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, which are incredibly healthy for your eyes and vision. Meanwhile, researchers also warn against diets that are too focused on carbohydrates and fats as they are associated with the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In fact, according to researchers, the risk of developing AMD due to poor nutrition is as great as the risk imposed by smoking.
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