Eye strain and vision issues can be caused by your computer, tablet, or smart phone. It can cause headaches, eyestrain, dry eyes, irritated eyes, shoulder pain, and blurred vision. Spending hours in front of digital media and even fun games like the newest craze the ‘Pokemon Go’ video game may cause computer vision syndrome.
Without realizing it, our eyes shift in and out of focus when we stare at our smartphone, tablet and computer screen. because they have pixilated images. This causes our eyes to work harder because it weakens the muscles that focus our eyes.
An article in CBS News reported, “people forget to blink when they stare so closely at these screens, which can lead to dry eyes and irritation.” The article went on to say, ” normal blink rate is a few times every few seconds, but when staring at a screen, the rate drops to a few blinks per few minutes.”
Smart phones and tablets are very popular with kids, but they can be especially hard on their eyes. They seem able to stay focused on playing a game for hours. Kids usually hold the device close to their face and may not realize their vision is blurred or an over abundance of glare, causing issues.
The Solution
Reduce muscle and eye fatigue by taking frequent breaks. Take the time to stretch, stand and give your eyes time to relax. Eye drops and frequent blinking will keep eyes from feeling itchy and drying out.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule, for every 20 minutes you or your child spend looking at the screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Though vision is such a vital part of our life, we seem to take it for granted. The use of computer, tablets, and smart phones have become part of the modern day for both kids and adults, the best way to prevent eye discomfort and fatigue is to see the vision specialist at Lake Nona Eye Care. In most cases, those who don’t uses glasses on a daily basis can benefit from special prescription glasses made just for computer use. For those who already wear glasses, updating their current prescription to meet the unique demands of computer viewing can alleviate the symptoms.
For more information or an appointment, contact Lake Nona Eye Care.