Four Simple and Effective Ways to Avoid Digital Eye Strain
Eye care professionals strongly recommend taking breaks throughout the workday to reduce eye fatigue and unnecessary eye strain.
- By Hanish Patel
- Apr 01, 2019
Technology is woven into every aspect of our lives, as we use it in our communication, careers, entertainment, and much more. Although there’s no denying how helpful and convenient technology can be, it can also be quite harmful to our health, especially when it comes to our eyes. One of the most common issues is eye strain, which can have a variety of symptoms, including blurry vision, eye pain, headaches, and general fatigue.
But instead of trying to cut technology out of your life completely to protect your eyes, there are plenty of tips and tricks that can help you avoid digital eye strain while enjoying all of the technology you love.
Reduce Daily Blue Light Consumption
Reducing blue light, particularly in the evening hours, can play a big role in eye health. Not only does blue light impact sleep quality, but it also triggers eye fatigue after prolonged exposure. Digital devices emit uneven amounts of visible light, including large amounts of high energy blue light. Exposure to this type of light has been linked to damaged retinal cells and disruption to the body’s natural sleep cycle by interfering with melatonin production.
Focus on limiting your blue light intake once the sun goes down to help protect your eyes and promote healthier sleeping habits.
Take Breaks Often
For those with desk jobs, having to stare at a computer screen for hours at a time is typical. Eye care professionals strongly recommend taking breaks throughout the workday to reduce eye fatigue and unnecessary eye strain. The most encouraged exercise for reducing eye strain is the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, you should focus on something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Incorporating this simple exercise in your daily work routine can go a long way with giving your eyes proper breaks so they can continue performing at their best.
Nurture Your Eyes
If you've heard it once, you've heard it a million times—diet plays a major role in overall health, including that of your eyes.
Many of us forget to eat nutrients that directly support the health of our eyes. Optometrists recommend a healthy, balanced diet with lots of green leafy vegetables, which provide high levels of anti-oxidants such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin.
In addition to a healthy and well-balanced diet, using moisturizing eye drops or blue light reducing glasses1 will prevent and nurture dry eyes.
Utilize Eye Care Technology
Now that we have a better understanding of the effects that technology has on our eyes, companies have the capability to incorporate settings and features in devices that reduce blue light emission. For example, a technology2 is available that will reduce harmful blue light emitted from the screen and eliminate screen flicker, while also constantly adjusting screen brightness based on the user's surroundings. While screen time also plays a significant role in the development of eye strain, it's crucial to use quality screens that protect against eye strain and fatigue.
Our eyes are vital organs that we need to remember to take care of and nurture. Incorporating these tips and tricks into your daily routine won't completely eliminate the harmful effects of prolonged digital device use, but they will greatly reduce some of the side effects that we often grow accustomed to.
Vision 2020/USA Seeks 'Call to Action' on Improving Eye Health
Vision 2020/USA and allied organizations dedicated to improving vision and eye health in the United States recently asked U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams to initiate a "call to action" to mark the year 2020. A formal request from 27 national organizations that are members of Vision 2020/USA was delivered on Jan. 18, 2019.
The request cites a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report in 2016, "Making Eye Health a Population Health Imperative: Vision for Tomorrow," which included recommendations for significantly improving eye health in the United States. A key recommendation was for a call to action report to be produced by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Office of the Surgeon General to motivate nationwide action addressing the increasing burden of vision impairment across the lifespan of people in the United States. This one would be used to increase public awareness, improve surveillance, clarify the disability and financial cost from vision loss, help standardize public health and clinical practice, and help to ensure that people enjoy the lifelong benefits of healthy eyes and clear sight.
"Vision issues can affect anyone across the age spectrum, from infants to seniors, impacting everything from learning to the ability to work and be independent," said Dr. Mitchell V. Brinks, M.D., MPH, chair of Vision 2020/USA. "With the help of U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams and his colleagues, we can work together to successfully address and improve vision health in our country."
Groups signing onto the letter included the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Optometry, American Optometric Association, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, Eye Bank Association of America, Himalayan Cataract Project, Hellen Keller International, Illinois College of Optometry, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness-North America Region, Lions Clubs International, and Prevent Blindness.
"The NASEM report clearly outlined the need for, and benefits arising from, improving vision and eye health programs and services, as well as recommendations on the tactics to reach that goal," said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. "We are proud to join in the effort to engage entities across the country, including professional groups, federal, state, and local governments, and more, to address the rising numbers of vision loss and impairment."
VISION 2020/USA was launched in April 2008 as a vehicle to better coordinate the efforts of the many U.S. organizations (NGOs, academic, professional, and private) working in the field of blindness prevention.
References
1. https://www.zeiss.com/vision-care/us/for-eye-care-professionals/products/coatings/duravision-blueprotect-uv.html
2. https://www.benq.com/en-us/index.html
This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.