On average, American adults stare at digital screens for 444 minutes or 7.4 hours per day. This number could be broken down into 147 minutes of watching TV, 103 minutes in front of a computer, 43 minutes playing with a tablet, and 151 minutes using a smartphone. Canada ranks no better, spending up to 376 hours on the digital screen. In this modern age, our life revolves around technology. Emails, phone calls, and Skype sessions are part of our lives, and they are hurting our eyes. Eye doctors in Vaughan seek to minimize the effects of technology on our patients’ eye health. If you want to speak to an eye doctor about eye strain, contact Dr. Brian Abrams to book an eye exam!
What is Digital Eye Strain?
Digital eye strain is defined as the physical discomfort felt after two or more hours in front of a digital screen. It occurs when your eyes are repeatedly exposed to digital screens at close or mid-range distances.
The symptoms of digital eye strain could be any of the below:
- Irritated or sore eyes
- Focus problems
- Watery or dry eyes
- Double or blurred vision
- Pink eyes
- Increased light sensitivity
- Headaches
You could experience a combination of the symptoms, and these could worsen over time if no action is taken. To eliminate these symptoms, the first thing that you will need to do is to identify the sources of stress to your eyes.
Steps to Take Toward Redmedying the Issue
After identifying the root of the problem, you could try following a few simple remedies:
1. Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam
Getting a routine check-up is a great way to prevent and treat digital eye strain. Your doctor will be able to identify the root of the problems and take the necessary steps to fix and prevent it in the future.
2. Fix Your Workspace Lighting
The wrong lighting could strain your eyes when using your electronics, as excessive bright lights from indoors and outdoors could easily tire your eyes. Choose lower intensity bulbs that are bright enough, and ensure that you have a blind to block disproportionate sunlight.
3. Minimize Glare From Your Screen
Glare on walls, glossy surfaces, glasses, and digital screens could exacerbate your eye conditions and destroy your retina. To avoid this, try installing an anti-glare filter to your electronics, wear sunglasses outside, and choose a matte finish for your walls to prevent reflections.
4. Adjust Your Electronics Display
Similar to wrong lighting, your electronics are the common sources of excessive lighting. Adjust the brightness of the display to match your surrounding workstation. Also, adjust text size and contrast to avoid focusing and pressuring your eyes.
5. Do a Routine to Exercise Your Eyes
The most effective method to avoid hurting your eye is to routinely take mini breaks from your workspace and exercise your eyes. Blinking is the most efficient exercise as it produces tears and moves your eye muscles. You could also focus on a faraway object for 10-15 seconds to re-focus and relax your eyes.
6. Consider Computer Eyewear
Similar to anti-glare filters, computer eyewear is ideal for those who mainly work in front of a computer. Computer eyewear hinders the entry of blue light to your eyes. It has been recently found that blue light is harmful to your retina when it accumulates.
Reduce Digital Eye Strain with Dr. Brian Abrams
It is essential to be diligent when it comes to treating your digital eye strain. Any eye doctor in Vaughan will tell you that without making any lifestyle changes, the symptoms will only worsen. If you are having difficulties, book an eye exam and try to adjust your work setup and complete daily eye exercises. If your symptoms persist, contact a professional immediately. At Dr. Brian Abrams, we are always happy to consult with you and offer you the best solutions to improve the health of your eyes. Contact us today to book an appointment!
