Nowadays everyone spends a lot of time in front of the screen; be it a computer screen, mobile screen or TV screen. This is affecting our eyes badly. Although it can take years to be noted problematic for our Eyes, we need to watch carefully right now to prevent any eye problems in future.
What are problems looking at screen cause?
Electronic devices emit high-energy, short-wavelength blue and violet light, causing eyestrain and discomfort of being overexposure to it. Recent studies show that children's eyes are more likely to absorb blue light rather than adult's eyes.
According to research, screens do not damage the eyes permanently, however, people who consistently look at screens may undergo these symptoms
- Eye discomfort
- Itching in eyes
- Watery or dry eyes
- Headaches
- Blurred or double vision
- Difficulty in focusing
- Sensation of burning
- Head and Neck Pain
Moreover, some pieces of evidence are available that proved watching digital screens before going to bed disturbed the circadian cycle or sleep-wake cycle as blue light disrupts the release of the hormone, melatonin, a hormone that makes us sleep. Therefore eye specialists advise people not to use devices prior to one hour of going to bed.
Tips to protect the eyes from screens
Here are the ways to protect your eyes from harmful effects of digital screens, according to medical health net.
- To protect your eyes, the best way is to follow the 20-20-20 rule which implies keep a distance of 20 feet away from the digital screen and take a 20-second break after every 20 minutes.
- While looking screens of digital devices when using them, ensure to take full blinks. Many people blink incompletely while staring at the screen which leads to dryness of the eyes.
- Get regular examination of your eyes. Children should also have a regular examination of their eyes because their eyes are developing between the age of five and thirteen.
- The amount of light in the room should be matched with the light of the screen.
- To prevent strain on eyes and other parts of the body such as head, neck, back, shoulders, etc. user needs to sit upright in front of screens, looking down at screen at an angle of 45 degrees.
- For children, the monitor or screen should be adjusted according to their body size. The distance between the monitor and eye of the children should be 18 to 28 inches. Viewing closer than 18 inches could cause eye strain.
- Light-filtering computer glasses such as photochromic lenses or anti-reflective coating on spectacles protects eyes from harmful effects of digital screens. Consult an ophthalmologist or eye doctor before use.
