If you’re like most people, you spend many hours a day sitting in front of a computer, using a smartphone, tablet or e-reader and watching TV. These modern-day necessities take a significant toll on our eyes. In fact, it’s estimated that nearly 70 percent of adults experience some form of digital eye strain while using their electronic devices.
Why does this happen?
Since digital media is composed of tiny pixels and can often produce a pixilated image, our eyes have to work double-time to process the image. All that extra effort can lead to digital eyestrain. This can be exacerbated if there is underlying uncorrected visual defects, eye muscle imbalances or poor ergonomics.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms include headaches, tired, burning or stinging eyes, neck or back pain and difficulty focusing after extended periods of time. Digital eyestrain is particularly linked to the mid to very close-range distances at which people view the screens of digital devices.
What are the health implications?
Increased use of these digital devices has also amplified our exposure to the blue light emitted by LED screens. Most of blue light emission is beneficial to human health, but part of this light spectrum can also be dangerous for eye health, posing a risk factor for the onset of age-related macular degeneration and affect your sleeping patterns.
How can you minimise the effects of digital eye strain?
1. Position Your Monitor Correctly
The position of your computer screen may not seem like it matters, but strain from a misaligned monitor can create discomfort for your eyes as well as other muscles in your head and neck. Placing the monitor centrally in your vision about an arm's length away is ideal, with the top of screen close to level with your eyes. That way the monitor can tilt slightly upward, and your neck doesn't have to crane for the best view.
2.Reduce Glare
Reducing glare from light sources directly behind the monitor and utilizing indirect lighting can remove harsh reflections and make it easier to see what's on screen.
3. Make Sure You Have the Right Eyewear
If you normally wear contact lenses or glasses make sure your eyewear is right and up to date for your visual needs. A regular comprehensive eye examination is essential. There is new technology in some lenses that selectively filters out only the harmful types of blue light emitted from our computers, tablets and smartphones and still allows the necessary blue light to be absorbed into your eyes.. Since most people are at risk for overexposure to both blue light and UV light on a daily basis, it’s important to have an antireflection and the new blue light filters applied to your lenses to protect your eyes from harmful blue light and ultraviolet light.
At eyeclarity located at emporium Melbourne, we can help determine and ensure your eyewear is appropriate for your visual demands and ensure you have and maintain good eye health.