Accept it or not, screens have become the focal point in our day-to-day lives nowadays. There is hardly any part of our daily life that has not been affected by screens because they are everywhere - at play, home, and work. It is almost impossible for us to live without them. Did you know that in the United States, children ages 8-12 spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours? This proves the dominance of smartphones, computers, and other digital devices.
The near-constant use of these screens can exacerbate your problems and may even lead you to experience Digital Eye Strain. Also known as Computer Vision Syndrome, digital eye strain is the reason behind the discomfort or pain you feel after using any screens for two or more hours.
Eye strain is a common condition in this digital age that makes your eyes feel irritated or tired when you look at screens for a long time. Although eye strain is treatable with non-invasive or preventative tips, you shouldn't take it lightly. If your eyes feel irritated for an extended period, it could be a sign of other underlying issues.
Remember, if you follow these prevention tips, you may not need to visit a doctor or take pills. Before you consider moving to an associated eye surgical center in Miami, here are some tips we have for preventing digital eye strain:
Quick Digital Eye Strain Facts:
- The American Optometric Association (AOA) defines digital eye strain (CVS) as eye and vision issues resulting from prolonged use of computers, tablets, e-readers, and cell phones, with increased stress on near vision.
- According to a report, the average person spends about 6 hours and 37 minutes daily on internet-connected screens worldwide.
- In a 2015 survey, 65% of American adults reported experiencing digital eye strain.
- According to UNICEF, one in three global internet users are under 18.
- Children spend twice as much time on screens as they do playing outside.
5 Best Ways to Prevent Digital Eye Strain
- Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Eyestrain is a condition often caused by constant staring of eyes at a screen for too long without moving or getting any break. The 20-20-20 rule, hence, may turn out to be an excellent way to give your eyes the break they need. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the 20-20-20 rule means: shifting your eyes to look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds in every 20 minutes.
- Schedule Regular Eye Exams: An experienced eye doctor in Brickell can help you keep your eyes healthy with regular eye exams. Going through an exam also ensures that the discomfort or pain you are experiencing is not caused by other underlying conditions. Sometimes, you may feel like the pain or irritation is there due to the overuse of screens. However, you never know what could be wrong.
- Ensure Blinking Your Eyes Regularly: Decreased blink rate is another reason that can lead you to digital eye strain. Hence, make sure you will blink at least every 10-15 seconds. Miami ophthalmologists recommend that this simple thing can help you prevent irritation and discomfort caused by digital eye strain. Furthermore, it can reduce the odds of dry eyes and improve your overall eye health.
- Adjust the Light: Too bright or too dim light can also be a reason behind the eyestrain. Usually, this depends on the type of activity you are doing. But you need to try adjusting the light. Whether you are working on screens or reading books, make sure you adjust the light accordingly. The eye experts at the associated eye surgical center in Miami also support this tip.
- Use Proper Eyewear to Reduce Eyestrain: Last but not least, you should try working with your eye expert to determine if you need to wear special eyewear to reduce the condition. There are several devices, lenses, or therapies you may be advised to use to get rid of the eyestrain. To confirm whether you need eyewear, you can also undergo a digital eye exam in Miami.
The bottom line is that digital eye strain is becoming more and more common in this digital age. Avoiding the screens completely is next to impossible for us. But you need to do something from your end, particularly things like we have mentioned in our article. Moreover, you should visit the best eye clinic in Brickell such as Eyes on Brickell regularly to ensure your eye health is in good condition.
Take care of your eyes because they let you see the world!
