Tips for good eye practice when using screens

Maintaining good eye health is crucial, especially when using screens for extended periods. The 20-20-20 rule is a widely recommended practice to reduce eye strain: every 20 minutes, shift your gaze to look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps reset your focus and gives your eyes a necessary break.

Additionally, ensuring proper lighting can prevent glare, which contributes to eye strain. Use indirect or natural light when possible and consider anti-glare screens or glasses with anti-reflective coating. To enhance eye comfort while using your device, you can adjust the screen brightness to a comfortable level. Too much brightness can strain your eyes, especially in low-light conditions. Many devices offer a blue light filter or night mode. Enabling this feature reduces blue light emission, which can help prevent eye fatigue and improve sleep quality. You can schedule it to activate automatically during evening hours.

Regular eye exams are essential to monitor eye health and update prescriptions as needed. For those who experience dry eyes, blinking more frequently and staying hydrated can provide relief. Ergonomic adjustments to your workspace, such as positioning the screen at eye level and at an appropriate distance, can also help minimise strain. Incorporating these practices into your routine can lead to better eye health and comfort.

BMW Employees Medical Aid Society provides specific coverage limits for optometry services, including frames, lenses, and contact lenses:

Frames: Covered at 100% of the Society Rate, up to R1,580 per member every two years.
Lenses: Covered at 100% of the Society Rate, with the following options:
- One pair of single vision lenses per member each year.
- One pair of bifocal lenses per member each year (for members 38 years or older).
- One pair of multifocal lenses per member each year (for members 38 years or older).
Contact Lenses: Covered at 100% of the Society Rate as an alternative to frames and lenses, up to R4,100 per member per year.
Readers: Subject to the frames limit, coverage is up to R170 per member.

These are the standard optometry benefits. Once these limits are reached, the member will be responsible for covering any additional costs.

Additionally, you can receive up to 20% off on frames and eyeglass lenses when you visit an optometrist within the Society's Optometry Network. This discount applies only to hardware items, such as frames and eyeglass lenses, and does not include contact lenses or professional services (consultation and eye examination fees).

For cash payments, you get the discount immediately and you pay the remaining amount at the till. Once you have paid, you must submit the proof of payment to us and we will pay the claimed amount as shown on the invoice, subject to the benefit limit.