Are Computers Damaging Your Vision?

In this digital era, many of us find ourselves looking at screens for long periods every day. Prolonged exposure to the high-energy blue light emitted by screens can cause an increased amount of eye strain and even cause damage to our eyes.

If you work on a computer at work, enjoy browsing online and using social media, or gaming sessions in your personal time, you may experience problems such as headaches, tired eyes, and eyestrain.

Staring at screens can reduce the number of times you blink, drying out the eyes and leaving them feeling sore and uncomfortable at the end of the day. Moving the eyes from the screen to the keyboard means your eyes are constantly refocusing which can add to eye strain and can cause blurring too.

If you experience these problems and frequently look at digital screens you could be suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome. This is a group of eye and vision-related problems resulting from prolonged computer, tablet, e-reader, and smartphone use. Symptoms include eye strain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.

There are steps you can take to minimise the effects if you find it difficult to step away from screens such as computer monitors, laptops, televisions, tablets, and smartphones. These steps include:

• Adjusting the position of your screen to reduce reflections and glare
• Introduce low-level lighting rather than overhead lighting
• Rest your eyes for short periods – close them for several minutes just to give them a break
• Make a conscious effort to blink

Computer Glasses

If you still find that your eyes are strained or tired you could try computer glasses. These are specially designed glasses for computer screens, TV screens, and other electronics. They can help your eyes cope with the extra strain and help relieve eye fatigue.

There are many specialist glasses that you can now wear that will be of benefit. They are often positioned around 20 to 26 inches from the eyes and have been designed to use lens filters, tints coatings that will increase the contrast and improve focus in a bid to help the wearer avoid eye fatigue while looking at their digital screens.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Blue light blocking glasses are designed to filter out harmful blue light emitted by digital screens, which can contribute to eye strain and discomfort associated with prolonged computer use. Blue light, particularly at the higher energy end of the spectrum, can penetrate deep into the eye and potentially cause damage to the retina over time.

By wearing blue light blocking glasses, you can reduce your exposure to this high-energy visible (HEV) light, thereby alleviating symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome such as eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision.

Additionally, these glasses can improve sleep quality by minimising the disruption of the circadian rhythm caused by blue light exposure, especially during evening hours.

Check out our range of the best blue light blocking glasses here at Glasses2You. They offer a practical solution if you spend extensive periods in front of screens, helping to protect your eye health and enhance visual comfort.

I Wear Prescription Glasses Already, What Can I Do?

Many of the computer glasses on the market come with regular lenses for individuals that don’t need prescription lenses, much like sunglasses in shops.

However, those wearing prescription men's glasses or women's glasses can still suffer from eye fatigue. At Glasses2You we provide options such as anti-reflecting coating and tints that can be combined with lenses that have been prescribed by the optician.

Buying prescription glasses designed for extensive computer use provides the perfect way to combat eye strain caused by staring at screens.

If you are aware of the length of time you are focusing on any digital screen and have symptoms of computer eye strain, talk to your optician about computer glasses. You can also browse our range of frames at Glasses2You for prescription glasses and computer glasses.

How Long Can Eye Strain Last?

The duration of digital eye strain can be different based on a few factors. This includes the intensity and duration of screen use, individual susceptibility, and the presence of underlying eye conditions. Symptoms, which include dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and neck or shoulder pain, can last from a few hours to several days after screen use.

In cases where individuals have chronic exposure to screens without adequate breaks, symptoms might persist continuously, potentially leading to more severe and long-lasting discomfort.

Tips To Avoid Digital Eye Strain

Eye Drops

Prolonged screen time often leads to a lack of blinking, which can make the eyes dry and irritated. Eye drops help to restore moisture to the eyes, providing immediate relief from dryness and discomfort.

By maintaining the eye's natural tear film, these drops can reduce the scratchy, burning sensation associated with digital eye strain, allowing for more comfortable and prolonged use of computers and other digital devices.

Following the 20-20-20 Rule

This rule suggests that every 20 minutes, you take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. We are constantly focused on our screens, so this rule helps our eye muscles to relax and stops them from being overworked and strained.

By shifting your focus to a distant object, you allow your eyes to adjust and rest, reducing the chance of getting blurred vision, headaches, and dry eyes.

Having an Eye Exam

During an eye exam, an eye care professional can find vision issues that might enhance strain caused by computers, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, and prescribe corrective lenses if needed. They can also offer personalised advice on proper screen use and recommend special glasses designed for computer use, such as blue light blocking glasses.

Maintaining Good Posture

Sitting with your back straight, feet flat on the ground, and the screen at eye level—roughly an arm's length away—is considered proper posture. By keeping your eyes aligned correctly, you may avoid squinting or straining forward, both of which can increase eye strain and pain.

Also, maintaining proper posture lowers the chance of developing neck, shoulder, and back pain—conditions that are frequently linked to extended screen time and can tangentially aggravate other pains, such as eye strain. A study by Lizette Mowatt showed that Computer Vision Syndrome symptoms could be reduced with improved ergonomic practices.

Blinking Frequently

People often blink less frequently when using digital devices, which can cause dry, irritated eyes. Blinking more often can help you keep a healthy tear film on the surface of your eyes, which provides the lubrication your eyes require. This lessens the itchy, unpleasant feeling that is frequently brought on by extended screen use and helps to avoid symptoms like redness and burning.