With video conferences and other digital tasks becoming the “new normal,” many of us find ourselves needing to focus on screens more and for longer periods than ever before. However, it is important to prioritize our eye health as well.

Modern work life requires long hours of exposure to digital devices such as computer screens, tablets, and phones. This can negatively affect eye health. Office workers, in particular, frequently experience issues like eye strain, dryness, blurred vision, and headaches. These symptoms are often precursors to eye diseases caused by prolonged computer use. To avoid these health issues, individuals working at computers must pay close attention to their eye health. Before experiencing irreversible problems, we must design our work conditions and environment in a way that supports our eye health. When eye health deteriorates, accompanied by headaches, neck, and shoulder pain, the quality of life significantly decreases, affecting both personal and professional performance and energy levels.

TIPS FOR GIVING YOUR EYES A BREAK
Whether you’re working at a kitchen table or in an office, these 6 tips can help you rest your eyes while you’re intensely focused on the screen.

Take a Break Every 20 Minutes
Every 20 minutes, look at something that is at a different distance from your screen for at least 20 seconds, then blink your eyes 20 times.

Use Your Palms
Close your eyes and hold your palms over them for about 30 seconds. This action can help calm and reset your eyes.

Check Your Screen Distance
Ensure the center of your screen is slightly below eye level and approximately an arm’s length away.

Adjust Your Screen Text Size, Contrast, and Brightness
Adjust according to your comfort, but text with black printing on a white background is generally the best combination. Your screen should match the brightness of the surrounding environment.

Eat Healthily
Foods like spinach, salmon, eggs, beans, oranges, oysters, and pork can help prevent age-related vision problems.

Get Outside
Take a walking break to get away from all screens, clear your head, and boost your energy.

March 2025

With the arrival of the Ramadan, questions about whether eye drops break the fast have started to arise frequently. Those who use eye drops can continue using their medications with peace of mind during Ramadan…

The Turkish Ophthalmology Association announced that those who have undergone eye surgery or have chronic eye conditions, such as eye pressure, can continue using their eye drops throughout the month of Ramadan without worry, as eye drops do not break the fast. Prof. Dr. Kıvanç Güngör, Secretary General of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association, stated that people who use eye drops can use their medications with ease during Ramadan. In his statement, Prof. Dr. Güngör reminded that the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs has issued a ruling on this matter, saying, “Since eye drops do not reach the digestive system, they do not break the fast. Eye pressure and dry eyes are chronic conditions. I can say that people who stop using their eye drops during Ramadan, thinking it will break their fast, put their eye health at risk. Especially for patients with eye pressure (glaucoma), stopping eye drops leads to vision loss, and it is impossible to reverse this vision loss once it occurs.”

The Presidency of Religious Affairs also stated regarding the use of eye drops by fasting individuals: “The amount of the eye drop applied to the eye is very small, about 50 microliters, which is 1/20th of 1 milliliter. Part of it is expelled when the eye blinks, and part of it is absorbed into the body through pores in the eye and the channels connecting the eye to the nasal cavity and mucosa. Furthermore, this process does not involve eating or drinking, so using eye drops does not break the fast.”

Does ear drops break the fast?
There is a canal between the ear and the throat, but the eardrum blocks this canal, preventing the medication from reaching the throat. Therefore, ear drops do not break the fast. Even if there is a hole in the eardrum, the medication will be absorbed in the ear, and either none or very little of the medication will reach the stomach. Furthermore, this process does not involve eating or drinking, so ear drops do not break the fast either.

March 2025

The number of people using contact lenses is rapidly increasing today. Contact lenses, which can also satisfy the desire for “colored eyes,” can pose serious risks if basic rules are not followed.

It is known that 70% of global contact lens users are women, and most of them pay great attention to their skincare and makeup routines. However, to protect eye health, it is important to consider the interactions between contact lenses and cosmetic products. The Turkish Ophthalmology Association (TOD), which represents Turkish ophthalmologists, has provided information on what to pay attention to when using contact lenses.

Unlike glasses, contact lenses are applied directly to the surface of the eye and stay on the cornea throughout the day. This means that contact lenses are in constant contact with tears and the eyelids. Since we blink 12,000 to 20,000 times a day, there is a high chance that eye creams, eyeshadows, mascaras, eyeliners, and other products will come into contact with both the eye and the lens surface. Especially in situations where the eye reflexively tears, all substances applied to the eye area spread across the eye surface and contact lenses. Scientific studies show that these substances can accumulate on the lens surface. Even if we clean our contact lenses with solution every night before going to bed, some oil-based ingredients (especially those that do not wash off with water) can remain on the lens structure and lead to allergic reactions, immune system problems, and infections if used over time.

Long-term contact lens usage, wearing lenses while sleeping, the accumulation of bacteria under the lenses, herpes virus, not cleaning contact lenses or their storage cases, reusing expired lenses or solution can lead to infections, blurry vision, redness, pain, excessive tearing, discharge, and sensitivity to light. If any of these symptoms occur, it is important to consult an eye doctor as soon as possible.

4 Golden Rules for Contact Lens Use:
For your eye health, be sure to consult with an eye doctor regarding the proper use of contact lenses and cosmetics.

1. Hygiene is a Priority: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before handling contact lenses. Rinse and dry them well. Be sure to keep your nails short.
2. Put On Lenses Before Makeup: Always wear your contact lenses before touching your face or applying makeup. Avoid applying makeup near the lash line to reduce the risk of products transferring to the lens surface.
3. Follow the Correct Order: When removing your lenses, first wash your hands thoroughly with soap, rinse, and dry them. After removing the lenses with clean hands, place them in the lens case with solution. Then, remove your makeup. Makeup removal products should not come in contact with lenses when they are on the eyes.
4. Permanent Makeup and False Eyelash Applications: These procedures may harm the Meibomian glands located near the eyelash line, which contribute to tear production. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the person performing these procedures is knowledgeable and that the materials used are suitable. These procedures can lead to serious allergic reactions and infections. If you experience pain, redness, burning, or discomfort while wearing contact lenses, remove them immediately and consult an eye doctor, as samples from your lenses, case, and solution may be needed if an infection is present.

All experts agree that contact lens use should always begin under the supervision of an eye doctor. Contact lenses are used for the treatment of some eye diseases, refractive errors, and cosmetic purposes. However, improper use can lead to serious problems, including corneal infections, immune reactions, allergic issues, dry eyes, and other eye diseases, which can negatively affect your vision quality and daily life.

March 2025