Digital Eye Strain | Heights Optometry

Giving Your Eyes Some Time Off

Life can get hectic and in today’s digital world, your eyes can get put under a high amount of stress. Whether it’s for work or entertainment, digital screen usage has become an unavoidable aspect of daily living. We recognize that your eyes need a break and want to help you overcome the effects of digital eye strain.

Giving your eyes some time off from the screen is vital and can help keep your eyes healthy. When the signs and symptoms of digital eye strain appear, we’re in your corner to help.

Contact us to schedule an appointment and get relief from digital eye strain today.

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Understanding Digital Eye Strain

Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, can affect your eyes when you spend long hours in front of a computer, phone, tablet, or other digital screens. Other vision issues like myopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia can magnify the effects of digital eye strain.

Some common signs and symptoms of digital eye strain can include:

Dry eyes
Blurred vision
Headaches
Neck & shoulder pain

Comprehensive eye exams can allow our doctors to monitor the effects of digital eye strain on your eyes and recommend management methods. Untreated symptoms of digital eye strain can worsen over time and lead to other more serious vision issues, so it’s important to give your eyes a break!

Finding Relief from Digital Eye Strain

The first step in getting past the effects of digital eye strain is visiting us for a comprehensive eye exam. An eye exam allows the doctor to take a closer look at your eyes, discuss your symptoms, review your screen time habits, and recommend management methods to help you find relief.

Anti-Fatigue Lenses

These unique lenses help prevent eye fatigue by providing a “boost” to the bottom of the lens—a +.60 diopter increase in power. This helps your eye’s focusing ability while keeping them comfortable throughout daily tasks.

Blue-Light Blocking Lens Coatings

Short-wave blue light, which is emitted from all of our digital screens, can contribute to some digital eye strain symptoms. Blue-light blocking lens coatings help manage blue-light exposure to your eyes and possibly reduce the risk of experiencing eye strain.

The 20-20-20 Rule

Focusing on your screen for long periods without a break can dry your eyes and cause strain. Giving your eyes a break is crucial, and the 20-20-20 rule allows for some well-deserved rest.

The 20-20-20 rule involves:

Looking away from your screen every 20 minutes
Focusing on something 20 feet away
Looking at the object of focus for at least 20 seconds

Adjust Your Lighting

The lighting of your workstation can contribute to digital eye strain. Lighting that is too dim or too bright can affect your eyes negatively, and finding a good balance is essential.

Adjusting your screen brightness to prevent squinting or straining your eyes is helpful. Glare is also a contributing factor to eye strain and is important to consider at your workstation. An anti-glare screen can be an excellent solution.

Watch Your Posture

Viewing your computer screen at incorrect angles can alter your posture and cause unnecessary stress to your eyes and body. Your screen should be about arm’s length away from your eyes and at eye level or slightly below.

Reclaiming Your Comfort

Digital eye strain can do a number on your productivity and leave you drained and out of energy. Our doctors aim to help you reclaim your comfort and find relief from the effects of digital eye strain.

We can help you overcome digital eye strain—schedule an appointment today to get started.

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