Digital Eye Strain Symptoms
Symptoms of digital eye strain include:
- Tired eyes
- Burning eyes
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Trouble switching your gaze or focusing
- Red eyes
- Twitching eyelids
- Headaches
- Neck and shoulder pain
Digital eye strain is on the rise. The average American spends almost 4 hours each day on their smartphone, tablet, or computer. And all that screen time is taking its toll, as research has shown that more than 2 hours of screen time each day increases your risk of developing digital eye strain.
How much time do you spend using digital devices each day? If you’re at risk of digital eye strain, you should speak to your optometrist during your next appointment to find out what steps you can take to avoid digital eye strain.
Symptoms of digital eye strain include:
The most important thing you can do to prevent digital eye strain is to give your eyes frequent breaks. The American Optometric Association recommends following the 20/20/20 rule: When using digital devices, make sure to take a break every 20 minutes and shift your gaze to an object that’s at least 20 feet away from you. Make sure you look at the object for at least 20 seconds before returning to the task at hand.
If you spend long hours using digital devices, either at work or at home, you may also want to consider investing in a pair of glasses or contact lenses designed to reduce digital eye strain.
These specialized glasses and contact lenses are made with special tints, coatings, designs, or powers that are designed to filter out blue light and reduce glare, maximizing both your visual abilities and your comfort.
If you think you might be suffering from digital eye strain, please speak to your optometrist during your next appointment about what steps you can take to safeguard your eye health and vision.
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