Can looking at a screen for too long affect your eye health? Learn about the connection between screen time and your eyes.
Screens are everywhere these days. From your television to your phone to your computer, it’s almost impossible to not look at them. However, screens produce a short wavelength, high-energy blue light that may be affecting your eyes.
According to some studies, exposure to this blue light may cause damage in your retinal cells, although the effect isn’t serious enough to suddenly stop using screens altogether. The following explores the link between screen time and your eyes.
Screens and Eye Health
If you stare at screens for a long time, you may experience a short-term effect called computer vision syndrome (or digital eye strain). While the condition isn’t serious, it can potentially cause dry eyes, blurred vision, eye strain, and painful headaches. Moreover, this particular condition isn’t due to blue light. Instead, several factors such as the length of exposure and posture can lead to the condition.
To avoid it, practice proper posture when looking at a screen, light your room so it’s roughly equal to the screen light, and practice the 20-20-20 rule: take a break every 20 minutes and stare at an object that’s about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t mitigate the symptoms, then you may start experiencing lingering problems and will need to consult an eye doctor.
In addition to short-term effects, some studies suggest that blue light may affect your retinal cells. To protect your eyes from blue light, start by reducing your screen time. You can also use filters on your screen or wear special glasses that reduce blue light exposure.
Additional Considerations
Since more people are working from home, the amount of screen time has gone up throughout the population. To maintain your eye health, remember to take frequent “vision breaks” and avoid looking at screens when you don’t have to.
However, if you don’t notice much eye strain or issues after extended screen time uses, it’s likely that you don’t have anything to worry about. In fact, most experts are not too concerned about the long-term effects of screen time on eye health.
The Outlook
While a few studies suggest blue light exposure may lead to long-term eye damage, the results are not conclusive. Regardless, it’s a good idea to take care of your eyes and address any symptoms you experience from screen exposure.
One thing you can do is take supplements like Eye & Vision Support. Its ingredients help strengthen the cornea, support a healthy retina, promote healthy blood vessel growth in the eye, and strengthen the eye to endure degenerative processes. If you’re ready to give your eye health the support it deserves, then manage your screen time effectively and take Eye & Vision Support.