It's no secret we live in a very digital world and use digital devices throughout the day. While we cannot escape exposure to digital devices and blue light, it is important to know how our eyes are affected by our changing technological environment.
Before we talk more about the digital world and its effect on our eyes, let us share our top tip to keep your eyes comfortable during extended periods of device usage. Follow the 20/20/20 rule! Every 20 mins of device usage, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away. This simple exercise will help you keep your eyes lubricated and reduce any eye strain you may be experiencing.
Digital Devices & Blue Light
Blue light is a high energy spectrum of light emitted by the sun and human-made sources like your computer or a phone's digital screen. This light can reach deeper into the eye and cause eye strain.
Since the sun is the biggest emitter of blue light, it has been tied to our circadian rhythm. Higher exposure to blue light tells our body it's daytime and that we should be awake, while lower amounts in the evening tell our body it's time to rest. By supplementing the sun's natural blue light with digital devices, we are tricking our bodies into a different pattern of awake and rest.
Are digital devices harmful to my eyes?
With all light, if your eye has been overexposed, there are risks to your vision health. In this case, blue light can reach the back of your eye. When overexposed to this type of light without protection, it can increase your risk for specific eye-related diseases. To keep your eyes protected, we recommend ay pair of computer eyewear or blue light blocking lenses.
Reduce Your Risk
To reduce your risk of digital eye strain and other eye-related diseases, we recommend the following for adults and children who spend time on a screen light-emitting device.
- Practice the 20/20/20 rule.
- Remember to blink!
- Use eye rewetting drops.
- Reduce or limit your screen time.
- Adjust your screen brightness to match your surrounding environment.
Have more questions about how the digital world could be affecting your vision and eye health? Schedule an appointment today and share any questions or concerns you have. We are happy to walk through your symptoms and help you get relief.
