In today’s world, screens are everywhere, from smartphones and tablets to computers and TVs, and we spend hours each day looking at them. While digital devices are incredibly useful, too much screen time can strain your eyes and cause discomfort.
In this blog, we’ll explore how screen time affects your eyes and how the right eyewear can protect your vision.
What is digital eye strain?
One of the most common effects of too much screen time is digital eye strain (also known as computer vision syndrome). This happens when your eyes have to work harder to focus on the screen for long periods. Digital devices often have small text, bright screens, and glare, making your eyes feel tired, dry, and uncomfortable.
Symptoms of digital eye strain
Some symptoms of digital eye strain include:
- Blurred vision
- Dry or irritated eyes
- Headaches
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Difficulty focusing
Why screens are hard on your eyes
Unlike printed books or magazines, it can be more difficult for your eyes to focus on digital screens for a few reasons:
- Glare and reflections from the screen make it harder for your eyes to see clearly.
- Blue light emitted by digital screens can make your eyes feel more tired. It can also affect your sleep if you spend too much time on screens before bed.
- Frequent focus changes, like switching between reading small text and looking at distant objects, can cause eye strain. Your eyes constantly adjust to different viewing distances, which can be exhausting.
How to prevent digital eye strain
While it’s hard to avoid screens entirely, there are several things you can do to make screen time easier on your eyes:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away to help your eyes relax and reduce strain.
- Adjust your screen settings: Increase the text size on your device to make it easier to read. Also, reduce screen brightness and use a matte screen filter to minimize glare.
- Blink more often: It’s easy to forget to blink when staring at screens. Make a conscious effort to blink more to keep your eyes moist and reduce dryness.
- Use proper lighting: Avoid sitting in the dark with only your screen lighting the room. Ensure your room is well-lit to reduce the contrast between your screen and the background.
ZEISS Digital Lenses: A solution for screen fatigue
At Valley Eye Care Associates in Fort Kent, Maine, we offer ZEISS Digital Lenses as part of our commitment to helping you maintain healthy, comfortable vision. ZEISS Digital Lenses are ideal for anyone who spends a significant amount of time using digital devices.
ZEISS Digital Lenses provide more relaxed and comfortable vision for people who frequently switch between screens and other tasks. With these computer lenses, you’ll experience less eye strain and discomfort, making it easier to focus on your work or enjoy your favorite shows.
Protect your eyes and enjoy comfortable screen time
Your eyes work hard every day, especially with all the screen time we experience. To learn more about ZEISS Digital Lenses and how they can help you, schedule an appointment at Valley Eye Care Associates. We offer high-quality lenses and a range of eyeglass lenses in Fort Kent to meet your unique vision needs. We’ll help you find the best solutions so you can enjoy your screen time without discomfort!
