Hansen Optometrists' optometrist Justin Clunas said moderation is key and sensible limits should apply.

"People should reduce their time behind a screen, especially for children, as it can cause dry and sore eyes, neck and shoulder pain and potentially short sightedness," he said.

"We recommend people to take a break every 30 minutes and to look away from a screen at another object at a distance for five minutes to refocus the eyes."

According to Mr Clunas, parents should be aware the Australiasian College of Behavioural Optometrists recommends children aged between zero and two not be exposed to any screen time, while two to five year olds can have a maximum of one hour per day. However five to 18 year olds are able to have two hours of recreational screen time per day.

Mr Clunas said the optometry is still open to service Orange but social distancing measures are enforced.

"We have reduced our staff from four to one optometrists but are still seeing patients and increasingly getting referrals from the Orange Health Service," he said.

"We are recommending people aged under 70 years to only visit if it's necessary, and for people aged over 70 years to visit if it's urgent because they have experienced sudden loss of vision, double vision and eye pain."

Eye Surgery Associates' ophthalmologist Dr Jeremy Curtin has completed specialised training in diseases affecting the eye and said there is no definitive time limit for screen use but there are ways to minimise eye strain.

"There may be a benefit to reducing screen time in the evening or using night-time settings on screens in the few hours before bedtime," he said.

Dr Curtin also said people should have their eyes checked at a few key life-stages or if there is a family history of eye disease.

"We encourage patients to see their optometrist every one to two years as a general rule but this will vary on the individual's situation," he said,

"If there is a family history of any eye disease then a program of testing can be coordinated between a GP, optometrist and ophthalmogist.

"Some eye practices remain open in the Central West but there is a reduction in some aspects due to the social distancing measures."