Adults spend a significant amount of their day in front of digital screens, such as computers and smartphones. When you are working on these devices, you tend to forget to blink or take breaks. Did you know that spending hours in front of these screens can give you dry eye syndrome?
Continue reading to learn the link between computer screen use and dry eye from a local optometrist.
Computer Use and Dry Eye
Your eyes usually work harder when viewing digital screens. The high visual demands of computer use can make you more prone to get vision-related symptoms. A person can develop computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain after spending hours in front of screens.
Common symptoms of computer vision syndrome include eyestrain, blurred vision, headaches, dry eye, and neck and shoulder pain. The more time you spend in front of your computer, the worse your symptoms will be. Glare, poor lighting, improper viewing distances, and poor seating posture can trigger these symptoms. Make sure to see your eye doctor regularly for an eye exam because uncorrected vision problems can also lead to digital eye strain.
How to Avoid Dry Eye While Using Your Devices
Taking regular breaks from computer use can help you avoid dry eye and digital eye strain. You can follow the 20-20-20 rule, where you look 20 feet away from the screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. It’s also a good idea to get your eyes checked to determine if you are wearing the correct prescription. Ask your eye doctor about anti-reflective coatings or special lenses for computer use.
Another thing you can do is to adjust the settings on your digital screens, such as its brightness and contrast. Consider investing in bigger monitors as they will make words and images larger and easier to view. Increasing the font size of texts may make reading easier.
Experiencing digital eye strain or dry eye? Visit your local eye doctor, Opti-Care. We offer eye exams, eyeglasses, contact lenses, and more. Call us at (410) 795-8670 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We help patients in Westminster and Marriottsville, MD, and nearby communities around Maryland.