Eye Conditions Caused By Too Much Screen Time

After the holidays, people tend to spend a lot of time online. Whether you’re looking for New Year’s bargains or trying to make it to the next level of the latest video games, you could be overworking your eyes. Learn more about the causes of eye strain and how you can prevent it.

What Causes the Most Eye Strain?

You may already know that looking directly at the sun could hurt your eyes. However, other bright lights such as computer screens and video game consoles also cause eye strain. While newer screens do not emit UV light, the most damaging kind, they do give off high-energy blue light, which can cause vision problems when overused.

You can avoid eyestrain by looking away from the screen as often as possible. In the long run, blue light from your devices may damage retinal cells, similarly to macular degeneration caused by aging. However, the level of damage does not warrant giving up on screen time altogether.

Digital Eye Strain

Staring at your screen for long periods without rest may cause digital eye strain. Over time, this could change your vision prescription due to overuse. Visit our eye doctors in Mesa and Chandler who can prescribe eye glasses or contact lenses that can help.

Systems of digital eye strain include the following:

• Tired eyes
• Dry eye
• Painful headaches
• Blurred vision

Factors that contribute to digital eye fatigue include the length of time at the computer and bad posture.

How You Can Avoid Digital Eye Strain

Here’s how to avoid digital eye strain:

• Sitting at least 20 inches from your screen and maintaining proper posture can help you reduce eye strain.
• Light contrast impacts eye strain. Keep the background light at roughly the same level as the light on your screen. Staring at a bright screen in a dark room will tire your eyes faster.
• Rest your eyes often. Every 20 minutes or so, look at a point 20 feet away for about 20 seconds. This helps you remember to rest your eyes frequently.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

To avoid long-term impacts like age-related macular degeneration, be sure to take breaks and limit your screen time. Blue light from your smartphone and computer may damage your retinal cells. We can help you manage age-related macular degeneration, but there is no cure. Protect your eyes and maintain your vision for many years to come.

Feel free to call our office with any questions you may have regarding screen time and the impact on your eyes. Children’s eyes may absorb even more blue light than adults. Therefore, it’s essential to limit their screen time and bring children in for regular eye exams.

Feel free to ask one of our highly qualified eye doctors about special glasses that can limit the blue light reaching your eyes.

Contact Swagel Wootton Eye Institute in Mesa and Chandler

Contact Swagel Wootton Eye Institute today to make an appointment with our eye doctors in Mesa and Chandler.