Digital screens have become ubiquitous in our daily lives, whether through smartphones, tablets, laptops or even televisions. While these devices facilitate communication and access to information, they also pose challenges to our eye health.
Here are the impacts of digital screens on our eyes and tips for mitigating adverse effects.
Eye fatigue
Staring at a screen for long periods can lead to eye fatigue. This can manifest in dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision and a feeling of heaviness around the eyes.
Decreased blinking
When we look at a screen, we tend to blink less frequently than when reading printed text. This can lead to dry eyes, as blinking is necessary to distribute tears evenly over the eye's surface.
Glare and blue light
Screens emit blue light, which can disrupt the sleep cycle by suppressing melatonin production. In addition, screen glare can cause eye fatigue.
Increased myopia
There is growing concern that prolonged use of digital devices, particularly in children, may be associated with an increased prevalence of myopia (near vision is sharp, but distance vision is blurred).
Sleep disorders
Exposure to blue light from screens, particularly in the evening, can disrupt circadian rhythms and affect sleep quality.
To mitigate these effects, we recommend taking regular breaks by looking away from the screen, blinking frequently to avoid dry eyes, adjusting screen brightness and using blue-light filters.
It's also essential to consult an optometrist if you experience persistent symptoms.
