The Dos and Don’ts of Digital Eye Strain

With American adults spending nearly 9.5 hours a day on their digital screens (which covers everything from smartphones, tablets, computers and TVs), and  children 8 and younger spending almost 2.5 hours a day in front of a screen, it’s no wonder digital eye strain is a growing health concern.

  • Do you experience dry, itchy eyes?
  • Do you experience headaches?
  • Do you experience blurred vision?
  • Do you experience neck and shoulder pain?

If so, and if you spend more than just a few hours a day in front of a computer for work, a smartphone or tablet, or even a television screen, you may be experiencing some form of digital eye strain.

We Can’t Seem to Avoid our Screens

According to the Vision Council, a nonprofit trade association for manufacturers and suppliers of the optical industry in the United States, 60.5 percent of Americans report experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain. It’s no wonder why, with Americans increasingly relying on digital screens for everyday tasks:

  • 6 percent use a computer to do research
  • 6 percent use a smart phone as an alarm clock
  • 2 percent use a computer to go shopping
  • 7 percent use a smart phone to check the weather
  • 7 percent use a computer to find a recipe

More than Just Screen Time

Of course, virtually any activity requiring intense use of the eyes for a prolonged time can cause eye strain. According to WebMD, these include extended periods of:

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Computer work
  • Driving
  • Exposure to bright light
  • Straining to see in dim light.

What You Can Do

Talk to your eyecare provider about special eyewear/lenses designed to reduce digital eye strain. You may also want to discuss your digital habits that may be contributing to your eyestrain to come up with a solution that’s right for you.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology also recommends keeping digital displays and monitors about an arm’s length away when viewing, and following the 20-20-20 rule: give your eyes a break every 20 minutes by looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Get Some TLC for Your Eyes from Sunglass & Optical Warehouse

If you’re tired of dry, irritated eyes, and blurry vision from digital eye strain, Sunglass & Optical Warehouse can help give your eyes the TLC you need. For more than 30 years, we’ve been meeting the eye care needs of Greater San Diego, from tips on the dos and don’ts of working and playing with your digital devices, to offering more than 60 brands of eyeglasses and sunglasses with more than 7,000 frames to choose from!

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