Digital eye strain is visual discomfort experienced as symptoms of dry eyes, irritation, fatigue which can also lead to blurred vision, watery eyes and headaches. On average the population spend more than 6 hours a day behind a visual screen from tablets, laptops and television at close range.
Many begin to discover the difficulties when shifting vision, leading to insomnia, as blue light is known to disrupt the normal REM sleeping pattern. Worst cases leading to myopia or near-sightedness, which at a later stage in life can become degenerative with higher risks of cataracts.
Children are particularly susceptible to undetected vision problems, as they are unaware of the festering issues. Limited self-awareness due to prolonged hours concentrating behind the screen with limited to no breaks can in some cases lead to spasms as a result of the eyes locking onto one particular distance for an extensive period of time.
As recent research has indicated people who spend more hours outside are less likely to develop myopia or nearsightedness. Around 10 million eye doctor visits per year are a result of symptoms related to computer usage. Particularly with hand held devices requiring the user to hold the screen closer to the eyes, meaning more focus is required when reading smaller words.
On average we blink 18 times a minute while during heavy focus on bright light, this is dramatically reduced, causing symptoms of burning and dryness of the eyes. Encourage your children to apply the 20-20 rule by ensuring you look 20ft away every 20 minutes from the screen. Having an updated eye test is also essential not only to identify their visual needs but also underlining health issues.
With many of us going through e-mails and social media on a daily accounts using various gadgets, the emitted blue UV-light from these devices contains the highest energy wavelength, exposure to man made light at close proximity is a major concern for eye doctors.
Preventing eye strain
- Follow the 20-20 rule
- Limit the time spent behind a visual screen
- Ask about BBGR blue UV lenses coating
- Supervise screen brightness
- Schedule your next eye exam
- Blinking frequently moisturizes the eyes
BBGR Neva Max Blue UV lens
Adjusting the lighting of your screen is essential, high intensity light can cause excessive glare. Combating these artificial UV-rays, we reccomend the BBGR Neva Max lens coatings which has the beneficial effect of reducing the level of blue light transmitted through the front surface of a spectacle lens to the eyes.
Improving overall contrasts and visual comfort, reducing fogging, acts as a dust repellent, scratch resistant from any mishaps; as well as being grease and smudge repellent. At Eye Emporium we know glasses are an investment and offering ultimate transparency and lasting quality for daily protection is our main goal.
Adjustments in the positioning of the computer monitor and keyboard should be in accordance to body parameters, where at least 40 to 76 cm should be placed between the eyes and the computer screen. For a child a foot stool may be needed to position them at the correct level to allow the child’s focus to be unobstructed.
At Eye Emporium we provide in-depth assessment of your needs in relation to your personal lifestyle. Contact lens wearers should also consider having a spare pair of glasses to use in front of the computer, as dry eyes can create discomfort after long periods behind a screen.
