Many people work at computers all day long or use digital devices for hours on end. An end result of so much “screen time” is eye strain. How to avoid digital eye strain would be to quit using the computer, smartphone, or tablet. But, that is not going to happen in this day and age when digital devices are so common in the workplace and in our daily lives. So, here are some practical thoughts on how to avoid digital eye strain.
Eye discomfort and visual problems resulting from long-term digital device usage are digital eye strain. The eye discomfort may be from dryness because when we look at a digital device we do not blink as much and our eyes tend to dry out. Eye strain comes from using your eyes intensively without any rest. Eye strain presents as blurred vision or even double vision, painful eyes, or even headaches centered behind the eyes.
A couple of simple solutions for digital eye strain are to take breaks from the digital screen and to use eye drops to avoid excessive dryness. If you use an eye drop without preservatives you can use it as much as you want all day long. If the eye drop has preservatives, limit its use to three or four times a day. Do not use the drops that reduce redness as they will simply cause more irritation and redness with long-term use. When you watch television make sure the lights are turned on in the room. And, if your eyes are drying out at the computer, you can humidify the air and not just use eye drops.
If you use your eyes for hours at a time and have even minor problems with your focus, this will also cause eye strain. As we age into our 40’s it is common to develop a condition called presbyopia (old eyes). This is why grandpa holds the newspaper at arm’s length and jokes that his arms are too short. Smartphones, tablets, and computer screens are all used within arm’s length. Grandpa needs bifocals or reading glasses to make sure that he can focus properly on the business pages. Anyone who finds themselves squinting, getting headaches, or sore eyes from long term digital device use needs to have their eyes checked and corrective lenses prescribed.
Many times children do not see well but they have no idea that their vision should be any different. Having your child’s eyes examined is a simple task and a good way to help avoid digital eye strain.
The light from digital devices is heavy in the blue end of the light spectrum. When we or our children spend hours looking at these screens and their blue light there can be some worrisome consequences.
• Sleep Disturbances
• Digital Eyestrain
• Depression
• Obesity, diabetes, heart disease
• Macular Degeneration
Taking a break from the computer, smartphone, or tablet not only helps prevent digital eye strain but sleep disturbances, depression, the steady loss of vision caused by macular degeneration, and a whole host of other health problems.
You can do all of the correct things to prevent digital eye strain and your kids will still run the risk of eye damage from blue light. Consider protective lenses from Exigo Optical Eyewear.
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