Technology is an essential part of our lives, from making work easier and faster to making medical treatments more efficient, technology has numerous benefits but can also negatively impact your health.
Due to the easy access and prolonged use of digital devices like computers, tablets, television, and smartphones, many people, including children, are exposed to various eye and vision problems like dry eyes, blurred vision, and myopia. Let’s discuss some of the potential eye problems technology contributes to and how to prevent them.
How Technology Affects Your Sight
Some of the effects of prolonged exposure to digital devices include:
- Eye strain : Working on a computer all day or watching an exciting TV show for several hours can cause too much stress on the eye muscles, leading to symptoms like blurred vision, dry eyes, and fatigue.
- Blue light : Blue light is a high-energy electromagnetic light emitted by digital devices such as televisions, smartphones, and laptops. Excessive use of these devices exposes you to high levels of blue light, leading to eyestrain, headaches, and blurred vision. Over time, prolonged exposure to blue light can damage the retina, causing serious vision problems like macular degeneration, cataracts, and eye growth.
- Poor posture : Prolonged use of digital devices often leads to poor posture. For instance, many people tend to lean forward when working on a computer, which can cause strain on the neck and back muscles. Poor posture is often associated with shallow breathing, decreased circulation, and blurred vision.
- Dry eyes : Paying attention to digital devices for long periods causes you to blink less, leading to dry eyes. Dry eyes can cause eye discomfort, irritation, and blurred vision.
- Insomnia : Besides causing eye discomfort and strain, excessive blue light exposure can interfere with your circadian rhythms, affecting your sleep patterns. Insufficient sleep can cause dry or itchy eyes and increase your risk of infections.
- Computer vision syndrome : Prolonged and long-term use of digital devices can lead to computer vision syndrome, characterized by various eye problems like eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, and sensitivity to light.
- Headaches : Excessive screen time can strain and contract the eye muscles too much, triggering tension headaches. These headaches often cause pain or discomfort behind the eyes.
How to Protect Your Eyes
Fortunately, the following tips can help reduce the harmful effects of technology and improve your eyesight:
- Adjust your screen : Adjusting your screen brightness and contrast can help reduce the effects of blue light and prevent eye strain.
- 20-20-20 eye rule : Taking frequent breaks when using a computer, smartphone, or TV allows your eye muscles to rest, reducing eye strain and other symptoms. Experts recommend focusing on something 20 feet away for about 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
- Proper lighting : Working in a too-bright or dark room can cause your eyes to work harder to regulate the lighting, causing eye strain, discomfort, and soreness. Always Balance the lighting in your room when using digital devices.
- Blink regularly : Blinking helps clean debris and keep your eye moist. It sharpens your vision and prevents eye dryness and strain.
- Proper posture : Improving your posture using digital devices can help reduce eye-related problems and increase comfort. Ensure the screen is at eye level with your shoulders relaxed and back straight.
- Visual examinations : It allows your doctor to evaluate your eyes for issues and disorders and address them to prevent long-term damage. Visit our Visual nearby optometry for field testing in North York.
- Wear computer glasses. Blue light filters and specialty glasses can help reduce eye strain and other problems associated with prolonged digital device use.
- Limit screen time. Reducing your time on digital devices can help protect your eyes and prevent vision problems.
Schedule an Appointment Today
For more information about technology and its effects on your eye health and vision, contact Yorkdale Eye Care to speak with our Optometrist in Toronto.