Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 13 Dec 2024
Eye Health: How Are Digital Devices Affecting Your Vision, Causing Severe Headaches?
Even though most symptoms of digital eye strain cause temporary changes, without early treatment can severely reduce visual abilities
Phones, television screens, and computers have come a long way from being just simple communication devices to performing crucial roles in our everyday lives. While we spend most of our time using digital devices to know what is happening around the world or for leisure, the screens are damaging our vision and sight.
It is no secret that the digital world has completely changed our physical and mental health—our eyes are bearing the brunt of how technological advancement has moved forward. According to experts, constant use of phone screens leads to digital eye strain, which in the long term is causing symptoms like:
- Dry eyes
- Headaches and migraine
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Watery eyes
- Eye irritation
How do digital devices impact your eye health?
According to Dr. Mayuri Patil, ophthalmologist at Ruby Hall Clinic, when you continuously watch multiple devices, it significantly impacts eye health in several ways:
Digital Eye Strain
Digital Eye Strain refers to discomfort and fatigue experienced in the eyes caused by prolonged staring at a smartphone screen. “Prolonged screen time can lead to symptoms like dryness, irritation, and difficulty focusing, commonly known as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome,” said Dr. Patil.
Blue Light Exposure
Blue light is shorter wavelength light. While it is not new and does not only come from phone screens, it also has a lot of potential risks. “Devices emit blue light, which can disrupt sleep patterns,” she said.
Prolonged exposure to blue light harms vision and eye health by damaging the retina, located in the back of the eye and crucial for converting light into signals.
Less blinking
While watching your favourite programme, you may blink less, or not even blink at all. "The blink rate may be reduced by up to 66 per cent on average, leading to dryness, irritation, and burning sensation,” said Dr. Patil.
Increased Risk of Myopia
Extended close-up work, including device use, is associated with a higher risk of developing myopia (nearsightedness), especially in children.
Poor Posture and ergonomics
Using multiple devices can lead to awkward positions that contribute to neck and back strain, which can indirectly affect eye health.
Ways to protect your eyes
To mitigate these effects, Dr. Patil recommends:
Take regular breaks
Your eyes are not designed to stare all day at something directly in front of you, especially a digital screen. With the 20/20/20 rule, you give your eyes a much-needed break during long and extended workdays.
The rule is as follows - if you look at the screen for 20 minutes, you must look at something at least 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. However, the longer you look away from your screen, the better!
Ensure the room is well-lit
Always ensure proper lighting, use glasses with a blue block filter, and adjust screen settings to reading mode to reduce glare and blue light exposure.
Get your eyes tested regularly
Regular eye exams keep your eye health in check and ensure any problems you might be having are not anything other than normal eye strain.
Reduce blue light
Blue light has a short wavelength and is known for causing damage to the eye. Use blue-light glasses when in front of the computer to protect against harmful blue light. This is ideal for long-term screen usage.
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