The world of video games is exciting and captivating, but it's not without consequences for our health, especially our eyes. If you spend several hours in front of a screen, taking steps to protect your vision in the long term is essential. Here are a few tips on how to play responsibly while preserving your eye health.
Adopt the 20-20-20 rule
The “20-20-20 rule” is a simple and effective way to reduce eyestrain. It involves taking a break every 20 minutes and looking at an object 20 feet away (about 6 meters) for 20 seconds. This allows your eyes to rest and readjust after a long period spent staring at a screen.
Adjust screen brightness
A screen that's too bright or dark can force your eyes to work harder, leading to eyestrain. Try adjusting brightness to match ambient room lighting. In addition, activating the “night” or “blue light filter” mode on your screen can help reduce exposure to blue light, which is suspected of disrupting sleep and contributing to eyestrain.
Position your screen at the proper distance
Screen positioning is essential for eye comfort. The screen should be placed 50 to 70 cm from your eyes, the same as the length of your arm. It's also preferable for the screen to be slightly below eye level to avoid straining the eye and neck muscles.
Blink regularly
When concentrating on a game, it's easy to forget to blink, which can dry out your eyes and lead to irritation. Make a conscious effort to blink more often to hydrate the eye’s surface well.
Take regular breaks
Long gaming sessions can tire your eyes and cause headaches and neck stiffness. It's advisable to take frequent breaks to move around and allow your eyes to rest. Ideally, these breaks should be taken every hour for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
Invest in anti-blue-light glasses
For inveterate gamers, glasses with a blue-light filter can help reduce the impact of harmful blue light emitted by screens. While these glasses are not a miracle solution, they can help reduce discomfort and fatigue after long gaming sessions.
Visit your Optometrist regularly for eye examinations
If you spend a lot of time playing video games, seeing an Optometrist regularly is essential to check the condition of your vision. An eye care professional can detect early problems and advise you on how to look after your eyes.
Gaming can be very enjoyable, but paying attention to its impact on eye health is essential. By adopting good practices such as the 20-20-20 rule, taking regular breaks, and consulting an Optometrist, you can enjoy your gaming while preserving your eye health in the long term.
