Do your eyes feel tired and strained after hours of staring at screens? If yes, then you might be experiencing digital eye strain !
Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, occurs when our eyes are exposed to prolonged periods of screen time – leading to discomfort and vision problems. In today’s digital age, where screens have become an integral part of our lives, it is important to understand and address this common condition.
Therefore, Gurgaon eye hospital brings this blog to help you understand digital eye strain, its causes, symptoms, and some valuable tips to combat this issue. This will help you maintain healthy eyes and enjoy your digital devices with ease.
So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets to beating digital eye strain!
What Is Digital Eye Strain?
As mentioned above, digital eye strain is a condition that arises from prolonged use of digital devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets. In other words, it occurs when your eyes are exposed to the continuous glare and flickering light emitted by the screens.
Usually, it isn’t serious, and it goes away once you rest your eyes or take other steps to reduce the discomfort of your eyes. In some cases, symptoms of eyestrain can indicate an underlying eye condition for which you must consult the doctors at Gurgaon eye hospital.
What Are The Symptoms Of Digital Eye Strain?
The following conditions indicate the presence of digital eye strain –
- Sore, tired, burning, or itching eyes
- Watery or dry eyes
- Blurred or double vision
- Fatigue
- Redness in the eyes
- Headache
- Sore neck, shoulders, or back
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Difficulty in concentrating
- An urge to close your eyes
Now, let’s look at the factors that cause this condition to arise –
What Are The Causes Of Digital Eye Strain?
While the major cause behind this syndrome is prolonged exposure to screens; however, there are other factors too that give rise to digital eye strain. These include –
- Screen glare
- Poor lighting
- Poor posture while using a computer
- Viewing the screen from an incorrect distance/angle
- Uncorrected vision problems, such as refractive errors
Now, let us explore the effective ways laid out by the doctors at the Gurgaon eye hospital that can help you combat digital eye strain on your own.
Control Your Digital Eye Strain With These Easy Tips
With the increasing prevalence of technology in our lives, adopting effective strategies has become essential for maintaining a healthy vision in the digital age. Gurgaon eye hospital brings some of the best strategies you can practice at your home to keep your eyes healthy, wealthy, and wise!
1: Follow The 20-20-20 Rule
We have all experienced those tired, strained eyes after spending hours glued to a screen. But here’s a simple technique that can help your eyes get some much-needed relief! It’s called the 20-20-20 rule.
According to it, every 20 minutes, you must take a break and look away from the screen. Find an object about 20 feet away and focus on it for 20 seconds. This quick break allows your eyes to rest and lowers the chances of eye fatigue.
So, remember to give your eyes a break after every 20 minutes!
2: Adjust Display Settings
When it comes to reducing eye strain, doctors at the Gurgaon eye hospital believe that a simple adjustment of your screen settings can make a big difference. So, optimize the brightness, contrast, and color temperature of your screen to create a more eye-friendly environment. By matching these settings to the surrounding lighting conditions, you can minimize the contrast between the screen and its surroundings. The doctors at the Gurgaon eye hospital suggest that this will result in a more comfortable viewing experience for your eyes.
So, take a moment to tweak those settings and give your eyes the relief they deserve.
3: Maintain Proper Posture
As per the doctors of Gurgaon eye hospital, maintaining good posture while using digital devices is crucial in preventing eye strain. So, sit straight with proper back support and position the screen at eye level – about an arm’s length away. This posture reduces strain on your neck, shoulders, and eyes.
In addition to that, remember to blink frequently when using digital devices to keep your eyes moist and prevent dryness. Taking care of your posture and practicing regular blinking can go a long way in ensuring comfortable and healthy screen time.
4: Use Proper Lighting
Create a screen-friendly workspace by ensuring suitable lighting. The doctors at Gurgaon eye hospital recommend people to avoid harsh overhead lighting and excessive glare from windows. Therefore, you must opt for indirect or adjustable lighting to minimize reflections and eye strain. To further reduce glare, you can also consider using an anti-glare screen protector for your devices. These simple adjustments can make a big difference in protecting your eyes during screen time.
5: Consider Blue Light Filters
The doctors of Gurgaon eye hospital believe that you should be mindful of the blue light emitted by digital screens, as it can disrupt sleep patterns and strain your eyes. And, to combat the effect of this light, you can use blue light filters or apps that decrease the amount of blue light emitted by your devices.
This is particularly important in the evening or before bedtime when exposure to blue light can interfere with your sleep quality.
Now, if you think your symptoms continue to persist, consult the doctors at Gurgaon eye hospital for a comprehensive eye examination. They will help you monitor your vision and address all your concerns related to digital eye strain.