We asked local experts what you can do to keep your vision safe.
Common problem
According to a recent study by The Vision Council, more than 90 percent of adults use electronic devices for more than two hours per day. These devices include computers, cellphones, tablets, TVs — anything with a backlit screen. The study cites the blue light emitted by these screens and even from modern lightbulbs — fluorescent and LED bulbs that have replaced incandescent — as cause for concern.
“According to the American Optometric Association, 50 to 90 percent of computer workers experience some degree of computer vision syndrome, and each year, 10 million Americans have eye exams because of CVS symptoms,” said Dr. Jon Zeser, OD, an optometrist with Zeser and Stewart Eye Care in Beavercreek. “I see, on a daily basis, multiple patients who have symptoms of CVS.”
Ophthalmologist Dr. Patrick Spencer, D.O. of Iworks Laser and Vision Center in Dayton, said he “absolutely” has seen more cases of eyestrain in recent years. “Super-pixeled screens, HDTVs and handheld phones are taxing everyone’s vision to the max,” he said. “Patients are expecting to be able to see the smallest details on their phones in the highest contrasting colors and screens … that’s a lot of strain.”
Symptoms
So how do you know if you’re suffering from this common problem? If you’re a frequent electronic device user, these symptoms will probably sound familiar.
“Symptoms of eye strain can vary depending on the individual, but the most common complaints are trouble focusing at variable distances, eyes feel[ing] tired, diplopia (double vision), dry eyes, red eyes and headaches,” Zeser said.
Although these symptoms are definitely bothersome, they probably won’t do lasting harm. “Eyestrain does not have long lasting consequences on vision like pathology does,” said Dr. Chris Colvin, OD of New Image Eye Center in Springfield. “Once your eyes have rested, they usually feel more comfortable again and vision feels more normal.”
Prevention and treatment
If your job requires you to sit at a computer or use electronics all day, then you may be wondering what you can do to keep these symptoms from recurring.
Without a doubt, using backlit devices less is always a good idea. However, if you must use them, be sure to take frequent breaks. “Taking ‘eye breaks,’ like looking off into the distance to break your gaze, is important,” Spencer said.
“Anatomically, our eyes are made to look at a distance 10 feet or greater. Anytime you focus on a distance less than 10 feet … your eye muscles are working harder,” Zeser said. “I discuss with my patients the 20-20-20 rule when working on their computer, phone or tablet. Every 20 minutes, look away from your computer screen and look at an object that is at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple measure relaxes the focusing muscle inside the eye, reducing the risk of eyestrain and eye fatigue.”
Spencer offered a few more suggestions, including “using anti-glare screens, turning the brightness down on the screen and using an adequately sized screen. … Artificial tears (not red-eye relief) can help soothe the eyes, particularly when you have been staring at the screen for a while.” Because looking at screens decreases a person’s blink rate, hydrating the eyes can be especially helpful.
Another idea for keeping eyes hydrated is this: “Place your computer at a viewing angle of about 15 to 20 degrees below your line of sight,” Colvin said. “In other words, if you are looking straight ahead, the top of your computer should be 5 to 6 inches below your line of sight, so that you are looking down towards it, instead of straight at it. Looking down makes the surface area of the eye, off of which tears can evaporate, lesser.”
Be sure also that your glasses or contacts are the right fit and aren’t exacerbating the problem.
It’s always a good idea to have regularly scheduled eye exams to make sure there’s not another underlying issue. “If glasses are needed for best focus at near, consider having them made by your eye doctor instead of using ‘drug store readers,’ ” Colvin said. “Glasses that are not actually customized for you often create a prismatic pulling of the eyes that leads to eyestrain symptoms about the same as wearing the wrong prescription.”
About the Author