Digital Devices & Protecting Your Vision | Workplace Eye Wellness & Save Your Vision Month

In today’s world, most people regularly use digital devices, such as smartphones, computers, and video games. While technology can make life easier, it can also create problems.
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Using digital devices too much can lead to eyestrain. Although eyestrain doesn’t lead to permanent visions damage, it can cause temporary issues, such as blurry vision, and irritated, dry eyes.
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What Is Digital Eyestrain?

The feeling of irritated and tired eyes caused by staring at a computer screen or digital device is sometimes called digital eyestrain, or computer vision syndrome. Although looking at digital devices is not the only cause of eyestrain, it is one of the most common. Symptoms of digital eyestrain include headaches, dry eyes, and blurry vision.
 
One reason eyestrain is commonly caused by looking at digital devices is that technology dominates a lot of our time. Consider how many hours you spend on your computer, smartphone, and other devices during the course of a day. According to the Vision Council, about 83 percent of us admit to spending more than two hours a day on our devices. Some of us spend even more time – much more, in some cases.
 
Your eyes may become strained staring at a computer, tablet, or video game due to the glare, poor posture, and straining needed to see. Improper position of your computer workstation, along with decreased blinking, can also contribute to the problem.
 
Digital eyestrain not only affects adults. Children and teens are also at risk of eyestrain. In fact, some kids spend even more time on digital devices than their parents.
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Protecting Your Eyes in the Digital Age

You don’t have to stop using your computer or retire your smartphone to protect your eyes. There are several steps you can take to prevent digital eyestrain, including the following:
 
Stick to the 20-20 Rule:
When it comes to using digital devices, there is something called the 20-20-20 rule. About every 20 minutes, look away from your screen at something about 20 feet ahead for about 20 seconds. If you have trouble remembering to take a 20-minute break, consider setting the alarm on your phone or watch.
 
Use Your Phone at the Right Distance:
If you’re like a lot of people, you peak at your phone multiple times a day. Whether you’re reading a news article, tweeting, or sending a text, having your phone at the right distance from your eyes may decrease eyestrain. You don’t want to hold your phone too far or too close to your eyes. Keep your phone close enough so you can read without straining, but not too close. If you’re trying to read your phone when it’s too close to your eyes, your eyes will have to work harder to focus on the text.
 
Remember to Blink:
It might seem unusual to have to remind yourself to blink. Sometimes when we use digital devices, we tend to blink less. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, on average, we blink about 15 times in a minute, but studies have shown that when we use digital devices, such as a laptop, we blink about half as often. Blinking keeps your eyes lubricated and clean. When you are using your devices and blinking less, it can lead to dry and tired eyes. So, we recommend making a conscious effort to blink more often. Again, create reminders for yourself if you need.
 
Sit at Arm’s Length Away from Your Computer:
Many of us don’t have our computer workstation set up correctly to prevent eyestrain. For example, sitting too close to the computer can increase your chances of developing eyestrain. You should be positioned about an arm’s length away from the screen. Additionally, the screen should be just below eye level, ideally.
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What Else Should You Know?

You might have heard about potential damage to the eyes from exposure to blue light from digital devices. You’re exposed to blue light when you use your computer or smartphone. It’s important to know that digital devices are not the only source of blue light. We are exposed to blue light from the sun, LED lights, and flat screen televisions.
 
Should we be concerned about blue light exposure from our devices? According to the AAO, currently, there is no scientific evidence that the blue lights from digital devices damage the eyes.
 
If you do have signs of eyestrain, see your eye doctor. Your eye doctor may recommend eye drops to help with dryness or have additional suggestions.
 
Symptoms of eyestrain, such as blurry vision, can also be a sign of other problems with the eyes. As such, it’s a good idea to have a routine eye exam to make sure your eyes are healthy. Plus, seeing your eye doctor regularly is one of the best things you can do for your eye health and to protect your vision.
 
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600. Our optometrists, who specialize in comprehensive eye care and routine eye exams, will examine your eyes, discuss your eye health and vision, and, if needed, recommend you to one of our ophthalmologists, our medical doctors who specialize in your particular eye conditions and their treatments.
 
We hope you enjoyed our posts this month on Workplace Eye Wellness Month and Save Your Vision Month. Join us next month as we cover Women’s Eye Health and Safety and Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month!