The use of digital screens is more popular now than ever before. Living in a device-driven world can improve the way we socialize and work, but it does impact our eyes. If you are having eye pain, screen time could be affecting your vision. If your eyes feel painful or uncomfortable when you look at your smartphone or computer, it may be a good time to take a closer look at your vision health. The following guide helps to explain why screen time could hurt your eyes. You will also learn how blue light blocking glasses can improve your quality of life.
The Connection Between Digital Screens and Blue Light
Digital screens like smartphones and laptops emit a great deal of blue light. To understand how blue light affects the eyes and contributes to eye pain, it helps to know how the color behaves on the visible light spectrum. Blue light is a high-energy color that is made up of short and unfocused wavelengths. These properties make the color scatter more easily than some other types of visible light.
The eye has trouble blocking the blue light that comes from digital screens. When your eyes are exposed to a lot of blue light over time, they strain to cope with the contrast issues you experience while you are scrolling. It also makes your eyes work harder to read and focus. When you read your phone or tablet, the scattered blue light decreases your vision contrast. Text and imagery may not appear as sharp as the words and pictures you see on paper. As you strain to focus, your eyes may feel uncomfortable as you view the words or images.
How Blue Light Leads to Eye Pain
While your eyes struggle to adjust to the digital screen, you can experience symptoms like frequent eye pain and headaches. Using your devices without taking breaks can also make your eyes feel dry and irritated. This can lead to pain and discomfort until you rest your eyes.
Some people experience eye pain that leads to headaches. Digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome (CVS) can also contribute to migraines. These symptoms make it difficult to work or study. They can also prevent you from getting outside and enjoying your day.
Common Symptoms Related to Digital Eye Strain
Digital screens and blue light are associated with CVS or digital eye strain. Typical symptoms of CVS include eye pain and headaches. It is also common to experience dry eyes and blurred vision. Neck and shoulder pain can come along with these symptoms.
If you are experiencing frequent eye pain, consider talking to your eye doctor. They can confirm if it is a result of digital eye strain. They can also help to rule out any other eye conditions.
How Your Vision Changes from Blue Light
Blue light does not only cause digital eye strain. Along with short-term eye pain and headaches, it is possible to experience permanent vision changes. According to UC Davis Health, continued exposure to blue light can contribute to age-related macular degeneration and retinal cell damage.
Frequent exposure to blue light can cause vision changes in children. Too much screen time can increase the chances of kids developing an eye focusing disorder called nearsightedness. Also known as myopia, nearsightedness makes distant objects appear blurry. Since close-up vision decreases with age, developing focusing disorders early in life can greatly impact eye health in the future. This is just another reason why it is important to help children protect their eyes from blue light as early as possible.
How to Protect Your Vision During Screen Time
There are steps you can take to protect your eyes from blue light. You can also help to reduce the eye strain and symptoms of dry eyes that come from looking at a digital screen. First, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends following the “20-20-20” rule. This activity entails looking away from your screen every 20 minutes. Look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple yet important task will help you to keep your eyes from getting dry while changing your focus.
Other ways to protect your vision while using a digital screen include taking frequent breaks to close your eyes. Consider using artificial tears when your eyes begin to feel dry. It is also a good idea to wear blue light glasses or blue light reading glasses. No matter whether you need no correction styles or readers, blue light glasses are specially designed to protect eyes from digital eye strain.
Finding the Right Blue Light Glasses
A special filter is applied to blue light-blocking lenses, which protects your eyes from damaging blue light while keeping your vision clear and sharp. Since blue light exposure is so common these days, you will love that these glasses are more fun and stylish than ever.
Discover chic, elevated styles for men and women in a variety of shapes and colors. There are even kids’ blue light glasses available. Begin safeguarding your children’s eyes from digital eye strain as soon as possible, all while enhancing their wardrobe. Everyone in the family can protect their vision while being a trendsetter.
There are so many benefits to wearing blue light glasses and blue light readers. It makes sense to learn more about the right pair for your needs. Talk to an eye care professional if you have questions about eye pain or digital eye strain. If you think blue light lenses are right for you, you can shop from the comfort of your home. Find no correction lenses and readers with blue light blocking technology. It is just another way you can enhance your wellness while you play and work.