Countering Digital Eye Strain in a Screen-Filled World
In our technology-driven world, spending time in front of screens has become a major part of our daily lives. Whether for work, school, or leisure, the amount of time we spend on digital devices is increasing, and this has a negative impact on vision health.
Classic Vision Care is your go-to provider for diagnosing, treating, and preventing digital eye strain in the Marietta and Kennesaw area. We offer practical, expert-backed strategies for reducing discomfort, protecting eyes, and maintaining productivity when using digital devices.
Understanding Digital Eye Strain
Digital eye strain is also known as computer vision syndrome. It is caused by prolonged and uninterrupted focusing on a screen such as a computer monitor, tablet or smartphone.
Eye strain from screens is due to the need for your eyes to work harder than they do when reading printed material. This problem is exacerbated by screen glare, improper viewing distances, and poor lighting when using digital devices. Symptoms can occur just two hours after continuous screen time.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
The most common symptoms of digital eye strain are:
- Eye fatigue and discomfort – eyes are tired and strained after using a screen
- Dry eyes – redness, dryness and irritation can occur due to reduced blinking
- Blurred or double vision – difficulty transitioning between distances and trouble focusing on the screen
- Headaches – tension headaches caused by prolonged screen use
- Neck and shoulder pain – muscular discomfort caused by poor posture when using digital devices
- Light sensitivity – tired and dry eyes can lead to light sensitivity
Why Digital Eye Strain Is on the Rise
Digital eye strain is increasing for a number of reasons.
- Many more people use computers now for remote working and virtual learning
- There is higher recreational use of computers, tablets, and smartphones for social media, gamin,g and streaming
- A lack of blue light protection when using LED screens
- Poor workstation ergonomics and fewer breaks from the screen
Expert Tips to Prevent & Relieve Digital Eye Strain
There are steps you can take to relieve and prevent eye strain caused by digital devices.
Computer users are advised to follow the 20-20-20 rule. This involves looking away from the screen every 20 minutes to a distance of 20 feet for a duration of 20 seconds.
All screens have adjustable contrast and brightness, which can help to reduce digital eye strain. It’s also recommended that you position a computer monitor slightly below eye level and at arm’s length.
Taking regular breaks from the screen is good practice and if your eyes get dry, use some artificial tears to relieve the discomfort.
The Role of Blue Light Protection
Blue light is emitted by LED technology, which is used in most digital devices, including monitors, smartphones, and tablets. It’s thought that extended exposure to this type of light can be harmful to the eyes and potentially interfere with sleep cycles.
To counteract this effect, wearing blue light filtering glasses and lens coatings is recommended. At Classic Vision Care, we provide fortified blue light-blocking technology to protect your eyes and make your screen time comfortable.
We customize these lenses to your favourite frames for a complete personal service and also offer fashionable sunglasses with blue light protection.
How Classic Vision Care Can Help
We are proud to provide comprehensive eye exams for screen users at our clinics in East Cobb and Kennesaw. And of course, we welcome all patients who want to take advantage of our expertise and advanced technology. We’re conveniently located just 40 minutes from Atlanta, Georgia.
To help alleviate digital eye strain, we offer personalized lens solutions for computer use as well as vision therapy and targeted treatments, if needed. As screens are an integral part of most of our daily lives, it pays to be aware of the implications for your eye health. At Classic Vision Care, we educate and inform our patients about the best vision care practices for modern lifestyles.
Protect Your Eyes in a Digital World
If you’re concerned about the impact of screen use on your eyes, book an eye exam with us today. This will give you a personalized digital eye strain assessment so that you can get the right protection for your screen-filled life.