Symptoms, Treatment, and Protection
In today’s digital age, computer eyestrain has become a common issue as more people spend extended hours staring at screens. Whether you’re working on a computer, using a tablet, or watching television, the constant exposure to digital screens can cause digital eye strain, otherwise known as computer vision syndrome (CVS). In this guide, we will explore the causes and symptoms of eye strain, treatment options, and how blue light protection may be able to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.
What is Computer Eyestrain and Computer Vision Syndrome?
Computer eyestrain, computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital eye strain are the terms often used to describe the various vision problems associated with extended screen time, including eye strain symptoms and even shoulder and neck strain. This issue is becoming more prevalent as the use of computers, smartphones, and tablets continues to rise.
One factor behind computer vision syndrome that may cause these symptoms is blue light emitted by digital screens. Blue light is found naturally in sunlight and is actually good for you, however, when you are constantly exposed to it while using digital devices daily too, studies have shown it can disrupt your natural sleeping patterns and may also cause eye fatigue and discomfort.
Symptoms of Eye Strain from Digital Devices
The symptoms of eye strain caused by digital devices can vary but typically include:
- Eyestrain: Discomfort or fatigue after using digital screens for an extended period.
- Headaches: Occurs after long hours of screen time, due to overexertion of eye muscles.
- Trouble focusing: Due to eye muscles that aren’t relaxed from straining too much.
Blurred or double vision: Difficulty focusing clearly staring at a screen for too long. - Dry or watery eyes: Reduced blinking from staring at screens can lead to dryness, while excessive tearing may also occur as a symptom of dry eye syndrome.
- Red, burning or irritated eyes: Often resulting from insufficient eye moisture or irritation from prolonged screen exposure.
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain: Caused by poor posture while using digital devices, often exacerbated by visual discomfort.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to consider taking steps to alleviate eye strain and protect your eyes.
Blue Light Protection: What You Need to Know
While there is no concrete evidence that blue light exposure can damage the eyes in the long term, excessive exposure through prolonged screen use can cause digital eye strain.
What is Blue Light Protection?
Blue light protection refers to a specialized eyeglasses lens coating that filters out blue light emitted from digital devices. This can help to reduce eye strain symptoms and glare, improving overall comfort and providing more relaxed vision.
Blue Light Protective Eyeglasses: A Solution for Digital Eye Strain
Blue light protective eyeglasses can benefit individuals who spend a significant amount of time in front of screens to manage computer vision syndrome effectively and help reduce exposure particularly before going to bed, to mitigate any disruption to sleeping patterns caused by excessive blue light exposure.
Digital Eye Strain Treatment: Practical Tips for Relief
There are several practical solutions to alleviate digital eye strain in addition to blue light protection:
- Adjust Your Workspace
- Ensure your screen is positioned about an arm’s length away from your eyes.
- Keep the top of your monitor at eye level to reduce neck or shoulder strain.
- Use proper lighting to prevent eye strain and adjust the brightness of your screen to prevent glare.
- Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
- Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds to give your eyes a break.
- Use Artificial Tears
- If your eyes feel dry, using artificial tears can help keep them moist and prevent irritation. Remember to blink often too to spread moisture from your tear film across your eye surface.
- Consider a Blue Light Filter
- Similar to blue light protective eyeglasses, you may want to use a blue light filter on your devices or the eye comfort shield setting on your smartphone. This can help reduce discomfort caused by excessive blue light or digital eye strain.
- Invest in Specialized Computer Eyeglasses
- Neurolenses for computer eyeglasses are the only solution to address misalignment of the eyes at all distances by using something called a contoured prism. This can relieve strain and headaches caused by close up work on screens, along with neck and shoulder strain and can be used by people who wear prescription or non-prescription eyeglasses.
FAQ: Blue Light, Computer Eyestrain, and Treatment Options
Computer eyestrain, or digital eye strain, refers to the discomfort and fatigue experienced after prolonged use of digital screens. Eye strain symptoms include headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, dry or watery eyes, light sensitivity, and neck pain.
To shield your eyes from blue light exposure from digital devices, you can wear blue light protective glasses, adjust your screen settings to reduce brightness, and take frequent breaks using the 20-20-20 rule.
Blue light protection refers to the use of special glasses lenses or filters to reduce the amount of blue light emitted by digital devices.
Blue light protective glasses may be effective at reducing eye strain caused by prolonged screen time to improve visual comfort, focus, and sleep quality.
Aside from the workplace adjustments, regular eye breaks, and using blue light protective glasses, you can consult one of our experienced eye doctors regarding additional tailored treatment for persistent computer vision syndrome like computer glasses with neurolenses.