Today is officially Yule Tired Day as festive celebrations hit home

Following research commissioned by Specsavers, December 19 is officially the point where the effects of all the Christmas parties, lunches and shopping trips start to take their toll.

The eye experts have some expert tips to prevent eye strain over the festive period. There are multiple reasons your eyes might be more tired than usual, leading to issues of eye strain:

- Driving for long periods to visit loved ones

- Increased stress levels and fatigue felt by many over this period

- Straining your eyes to watch the TV

- Exposure to bright festive lights

This can result in symptoms including headaches, itchy eyes, increased light sensitivity and even blurred or double vision. In such a busy and stressful period, it is critical that Irish people take time for themselves to help prevent these symptoms, allowing them to continue to enjoy the festivities right through to the New Year. With this in mind, Specsavers has shared it’s golden rules to help you prevent eye strain and protect your eyes this festive period:

20:20:20 Rule:

A technique recommended for all screen users. This simply means you should take a small break every 20 minutes to focus your eyes on something 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. This will help your eye muscles relax and reduce the likelihood of digital eye strain.

Contact Lenses

With Christmas festivities in full flow, many people may turn to contact lenses over this period. To ensure eyes are kept safe and healthy, insert your lenses before putting on makeup and remember to take them out before you remove your make up after a night out.

It can also help to avoid make up that includes powdery or metallic eyeshadow and mascara with fibres, as the particles can get into your lenses and cause damage to your eye.

Dry Eyes

If you are experiencing dry eyes when wearing your contact lenses, it can sometimes help to take a break from wearing your lenses or change to a different lens material. You could also use contact lens‑friendly dry eye drops onto your lenses before you apply them each day to help relieve symptoms.

Red Eyes

Whilst red eyes can be alarming, there can be a wide number of causes for this – including simply increased levels of tiredness over the festive period. You can try eye drops for more immediate relief, but if this doesn’t work or the redness is more severe you should contact your optician.

For more information or to book an appointment visit https://www.specsavers.ie/