Quarantine is killing my eyesight

At the end of a school day, my eyes hurt and my head pounds. My exhausted eyes ache for reprieve from a screen.

For me, it’s uncommon to end a day without a splitting headache. When my eyes began hurting a month or two into online learning, I passed it off as fatigue.

But when traffic lights became glowing, unfocused orbs and street names became fuzzy, white blurs, I realized that my vision had taken a turn for the worse.

Thanks to virtual learning, I use screens for everything, from classes to relaxation. I go to class on Zoom, look at my phone during breaks, do my homework online and relax by watching TV. Even my social interactions take place over FaceTime, Snapchat and Instagram.

Unable to escape the constant use of screens, I’ve even had to dig up my old glasses, which, to my disappointment, barely help anymore. 

At this point, my efforts to slow my descent to blindness are feeble. My only hope is eating lots of carrots and the occasional eye exercise — when I remember to do it.

Taking periodic breaks from my screen is another habit I have been training myself to do. It’s important that every few minutes I rest my eyes for at least 20 seconds.

But the biggest change I have to make is lowering my screen usage. It’s time to give up TikTok and Snapchat, no matter how addictive they are.

Needless to say, I am a little nervous for my next eye exam. It’s never fun to get yelled at by an optician. But until then, I will keep squinting and suffering.