Digital eye strain is a vision impairment caused by using a computer, tablet, e-reader, or smartphone for extended periods. Many people develop eye irritation and vision problems as a result of staring at digital screens for long periods. If your eyes feel dry and tired, your vision is blurry by the end of the day, or your head, neck, and shoulders ache, it could be due to all that time spent on your digital devices.
By staring at a computer screen for long periods, our eyes become exhausted, dry, and irritated almost every day. If you're experiencing the same symptoms, you may be suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) or Digital eye strain.
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Digital Eye Strain Symptoms
The degree to which people have visual symptoms is often determined by their visual ability and the amount of time they spend staring at a digital screen. Many of the visual symptoms that users encounter are merely transient and will go away after they stop working on the computer or using the digital gadget. Even after ceasing working at a computer, some people may continue to have diminished visual abilities, such as hazy distance vision. If nothing is done to treat the underlying cause of the condition, the symptoms will reoccur and perhaps worsen with the continued usage of digital screens.
The common symptoms are:
Eyestrain
Headaches
Blurred vision
Dry eyes
Neck and shoulder pain
Redness in the eyes
Difficulty in shifting focus from the monitor to any other object
Tips For Digital Eye Strain Relief
Get your eyes examined- First and foremost, if you are suffering any of the symptoms, have your eyes tested. This is the most critical thing you should accomplish first and foremost. This is the first step in avoiding any eye problems. Those who work on computers should also have their eyes tested once a year. Don't forget to tell your eye doctor how often you use a computer at work and home during the exam. Also, measure the distance between your eyes and the computer screen and tell your doctor about it so he can evaluate if it's appropriate. A comprehensive eye exam is the best way to diagnose digital eye strain.
Place the computer monitor away from any windows- While working on a computer, the most common cause of eyestrain is additional light and glare. Ideally, the computer should not be near the window, but if it is, make sure the window has curtains and shutters to manage the amount of light coming in during the day. When working on a computer or laptop, avoid working in front of an un-shaded window. The contrast between the brightness of the screen and the brightness of the outdoors can induce eye strain. Reduce reflections by using an anti-glare screen.
Change your computer's display settings- This is really useful for reducing eye strain and fatigue. Change the monitor's display settings. Eye strain and eye fatigue will be reduced as a result of this. Adjust the brightness of your display so that it matches the brightness of the workstations around you. Also, if you're reading long documents on a computer, change the settings so that the text is black on a white background while you're reading.
Consider the colour temperature of your display- It's crucial to pay attention to your display's colour temperature. The visible spectrum of light's blue light has a short wavelength, causing more eye strain than colours with longer wavelengths, such as red and orange. Reduce your display's colour temperature. This reduces the quantity of blue light emitted by the monitor, making it more comfortable to behold.
Take a well-earned rest for your eyes- For lengthy periods, the eyes are unable to see at a close distance. Allow them to take a rest. The 20-20-20 rule can be followed. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Move your eyes around and look at different items at varying distances while you're doing this.
Blink your eyes frequently- Blinking keeps our eyes moist and prevents discomfort and dryness. The tear film that protects our eyes evaporates quickly, resulting in dry eyes. Furthermore, many offices have dry air due to air conditioning. This speeds up the evaporation process, putting you at increased risk of dry eye. Consult your doctor if you have this issue. Slowly blinking, as you would when falling asleep, is a good way to start. Repeat this process ten times. This may aid in the moistening of your eyes.
Use proper lighting- When it comes to lowering eye strain, proper lighting is crucial. Your eyes will be strained if the light is too bright or too dim. Excessive outside light is difficult on the eyes. As a result, when working, attempt to decrease the amount of light coming in from outside. Keep overhead illumination to a minimum. Instead, provide indirect lighting with floor lights. This will make viewing more enjoyable. The computer screen may glare at your eyes if you work in dim light. The illumination must be balanced.
Take frequent breaks- When working on the computer for long periods, try to rest your eyes. After two hours of nonstop computer use, give your eyes a 15-minute break. In addition, every 20 minutes of computer gazing, take a 20-second break to look into the distance to allow your eyes to refocus.
Using computer glasses is a good choice- Computer-specific prescription eyewear may aid in your ability to focus on the screen. This also aids in the reduction of glare and digital eye strain eye strain. If you wear glasses, talk to your doctor about getting them customized. If you wear contact lenses regularly, they may get dry and uncomfortable. In that situation, getting computer-specific spectacles is the best option. People who wear bifocals or progressive lenses will benefit from this as well.
Do not hold digital devices closer to the eyes- Holding digital devices closer to their eyes are at greater risk of straining their eyes. Blue light from digital devices causes eye strain, and holding them closer puts even more strain on your eyes. So, whenever you're using a smartphone or tablet, try to keep it as far away from your eyes as possible.
To Conclude
The eye is a delicate organ, and it is critical to take proper care of it to enjoy clear vision and avoid any eye conditions. People who spend a significant amount of time in front of a computer have developed computer eye strain. Poor lighting, poor seating posture, glare on a digital screen, and other factors could all contribute to this. A full eye examination can be used to diagnose digital eyestrain. There are a variety of solutions for eyesight difficulties caused by digital screens. However, they can typically be avoided by getting regular eye care and changing how you look at the screen. There are also some tried-and-true methods for reducing eye strain.
If you have an eye-related problem or want to consult an eye specialist regarding Computer Vision Syndrome, you may book an appointment with our eye specialists.
Eric Johnson is a Kerala-based eye wear expert and entrepreneur. He is one of the directors of Ejones Opticals, a company dedicated to providing the highest quality eye wear products at the most affordable prices. Eric has been in the eye wear business for over 10 years, and has a deep understanding of the industry. He is passionate about helping people look and feel their best through the right eye wear. Eric is committed to using his expertise to create stylish and functional eye wear that is tailored to each individual's needs.
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