We use computers and smart devices for practically everything nowadays. Whether it’s for work, playing games, or connecting with our friends and family, it’s not a stretch to say that we can be glued to these devices throughout the day.
However, prolonged use can lead to repercussions for your eye comfort. If you feel like your digital devices are making your eyes feel uncomfortable, please book an appointment with our team.
Despite what the name might suggest, digital devices themselves don’t cause digital eye strain. Instead, digital eye strain can occur when you’re focused too heavily on a single item for too long.
When you’re focusing on a device, or a book, or anything else close-up, your eyes may tend to blink less. When this happens, your eyes are missing the essential nutrients it needs from your tear film to stay comfortable, leading to a variety of symptoms, including:
Researchers believe that blue light has more of a connection to sleep deprivation than digital eye strain. Because you receive a lot of blue light from the sun, your brain interprets these signals as it being day-time and becomes more active as a result.
Some studies have found that using a digital device before going to bed may make it harder to sleep. Blue light emitting from your device can make your brain think it’s time to be awake and active.
There are several ways to help mitigate the impact of digital eye strain. However, the only way to find the right solution for you is to talk to your optometrist. However, some of the most common strategies include:
The 20/20/20 rule is a simple exercise you can do to help alleviate eye strain symptoms. Every 20 minutes, spend 20 seconds looking at something about 20 feet away. Doing this can help your eyes blink normally and get back to feeling comfortable again.
How you sit at your desk can also impact how comfortable your eyes are while you work. Some quick tips include:
Eye drops can help provide quick relief to get your eyes feeling hydrated and comfortable again. However, it’s always a good idea to speak to your optometrist before purchasing eye drops.
If you’re craving relief from digital eye strain, please visit our team today. We can help find the right strategies so you can get back to enjoying your devices.
You can find our office right on Main Street in Humboldt, right next to Accent Insurance Services. There is ample street parking, and our office is wheelchair accessible.
Elias Eyes
