Uloma had just started a new job at an oil and gas company in the administrative arm. She was given a laptop to work with and was excited to get started on her latest project. She spent hours working on the laptop without taking a break, straining her eyes in the process.

Many months went by, and one day, Uloma woke up with a migraine and her eyes felt sore and tired. She tried to work on her laptop again but found it difficult to focus. She went to see an ophthalmologist, who diagnosed her with digital eye strain caused by prolonged use of a laptop.

The ophthalmologist advised Uloma to take frequent breaks and follow the 20-20-20 rule. This means taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes and looking at something 20 feet away to help prevent eye strain. He also recommended adjusting the brightness of her laptop to a lower level and ensuring that she had good lighting while working.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long before Uloma revert to her normal habit, ditching the doctor’s advice. She continued to work on her laptop for long periods without taking breaks or adjusting the brightness. Her eyes continued to feel sore and tired, and eventually, she developed a more serious eye condition that required surgery after a couple of years.

If Uloma had followed the ophthalmologist’s advice and taken regular breaks, adjusted the brightness of her laptop, and ensured good lighting while working, she could have prevented digital eye strain and the more serious eye condition that developed later. It’s important to prioritise eye health and take the necessary precautions when working on a laptop, especially in the oil and gas industry where administrative tasks can involve long hours on the computer.

A break a day keeps digital eye strain away!