Seven in 10 millennials have digital eye strain
If you’re spending most of your day in front of your computer screen or mobile devices, you might be sacrificing your vision health, both immediately and over a lifetime.
According to a recent study from the Vision Council, almost four in 10 millennials and one-third of Gen Xers spend at least nine hours on digital devices each day. Out of those, more than 60 per cent from each group suffered from the effects of “digital eye strain”, a term used to describe eye strain caused by staring at digital devices over long periods.
A mix of factors can contribute to digital eye strain but, as the term suggests, the bottom line is that it's unnatural to stare at a glowing display for long periods. Reading small text on a digital device, existing vision issues, and blue light emitted from screens can also create or worsen digital eye strain.
The Vision Council says office workers are especially vulnerable to digital eye strain as they face hours at the computer. Coupled with harsh LED or fluorescent lighting that emit blue light, as well as large and dual-monitor computer screen set-ups, office environments are increasingly becoming hot spots for digital eye strain.
Symptoms of digital eye strain
The symptoms of digital eye strain include uncomfortable eyes that are red, dry or irritated, blurred vision, back and neck pain, as well as headaches.
Ways to prevent it
As we live in the digital age, staring at screens all day is unavoidable for a lot of people. But there are steps that can be taken to protect our eyes.
Computer lenses
People who wear glasses can visit their optician to get computer eyewear specially designed to block out blue light, one of the factors that cause digital eye strain.
Adjust display settings
You can adjust the display settings of your devices to prevent your eyes from straining, and consider getting anti-glare filters for your screens.
There are also free existing softwares like F.lux that automatically adjusts the display according to the location and time of day, so the screen is not as harsh on your eyes.
Step away from the screen
Ultimately, the easiest way to try and avoid digital eye strain is to take breaks as often as you can.
The Vision Council advocates a “20-20-20 break”: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.
