Digital Eye Strain

Digital devices including laptops, tablets, and phones are an integral part of our daily lives. However, prolonged staring at digital devices can cause strain in your eyes. This is due to the muscles inside your eye becoming more fatigued resulting in blurry vision. If you are experiencing digital eye strain, please contact Heights Eye Studio for an examination.

What is Digital Eye Strain?

Digital eye strain can affect anyone that consistently uses digital devices. Prolonged screen time can lead to uncomfortable symptoms.

Symptoms of digital eye strain:

• Tired or sore eyes

• Dry eyes

• Blurred vision

• Headaches

• Neck or shoulder pain

Causes of digital eye strain:

• Uncorrected vision problems

• Glare from digital devices

• Poor lighting

• Poor posture

• Improper viewing distance

Symptoms that you are experiencing from using digital devices may vary based on the amount of time spent on devices and also by your visual ability. However, the best way to prevent eye strain is to get your annual comprehensive eye exam. Heights Eye Studio has the best eye doctor to diagnose and treat any uncorrected vision problems. Uncorrected vision problems such as hyperopia and myopia will force your eyes to work harder thus making them fatigue faster.
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Prevention and Managing Digital Eye Strain

If your work or school requires you to use digital devices regularly, it’s important to create good habits that can help uncomfortable eye strain or tired eyes.

The 20-20-20 Rule:
Continuously staring at a computer screen or any digital device can be physically exhausting for your eyes. It’s important to give your eyes a break by following this rule. Every 20 minutes, take a break to focus on anything 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will relax your eye muscles that can otherwise cause fatigue and eye strain.

Adjusting Your Workspace:
Ergonomics is important to make your workspace comfortable especially if you spend the majority of your day sitting at a desk. Some tips include:

• Keep your screen an arm's length away

• Position your screen so that you are slightly gazing downwards and also adjust your screen to avoid glare from lights or windows

• Sit straight and have your feet flat on the floor

• Invest in an ergonomic chair so that it can conform to your back

• When typing, have your arms slightly bent in front of you and do not have your wrists resting on the keyboard

• Adjust the monitor’s brightness and contrast to match your environment
  
  

Blue Light Glasses
Digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets emit short-wavelength blue light. Compared to longer wavelengths, blue light is typically more scattered and is harder to focus. Therefore, blue light has reduced contrast and can cause visual “noise”. “Blue blockers” or computer glasses that integrate a blue light filter can decrease the short-wavelength blue light that enters the eye. This can increase your contrast and provide comfort while using digital devices.

If you believe you have digital eye strain and would like to improve your symptoms, please schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Heights Eye Studio and mention it to your optometrist.