Screens have become a normal part of life in modern society. We use them to work, watch television, play video games, look at the weather, etc. The average adult consumes five times more information daily than they did over 50 years ago. Much of this is due to the increased use of computers, mobile phones, and the internet. It’s not uncommon for the average person to spend seven hours or more a day looking at a screen.

Blue Light and Your Eyes

The issue isn’t so much the screen itself but the blue light being emitted by the screen. You can look at a screen and generally experience no long-term side effects. However long exposure to blue light can cause damage to your eyes.

A recent study funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI) found that children’s eyes absorb more blue light from screens than adults do. Which can be seen today when we give our child a screen to keep them busy while we carry on with our day to day responsibilities. Other studies suggest that continued exposure can lead to retinal cell damage.

You may also notice the symptoms of eye strain. If you experience dry eyes, fatigue, or headaches, it may be time to cut down your screen usage.

Protecting Your Eyes from Digital Screens

Changing your habits can help protect your eyes from the side effects of lengthy screen time. You can:

• Always hold screens 20” to 26” away from eyes and a little below eye-level
• Change lighting to lower glare and reflections or use glare filters
• Sit in a chair that allows you to adjust your position
• Wear computer glasses that block blue light
• Use anti-reflective lenses to increase contrast and lower glare

During your appointment, ask us how to protect your vision from digital screens. Our ophthalmologists have studied these topics and can answer your questions and help you develop habits that keep your eyes healthy.