Digital Eye Strain is a Problem for 70% of U.S. Adults

by | Jan 22, 2014 | Eye Care, Eye Diseases, Eye Health News, Uncategorized | 0 comments

Nowadays, everyone is using a computer, smart phone, tablet or e-reader.   The Vision Council found in a recent survey, that even though over 70% of adults in the U.S. experience eye strain when using digital devices, 41% of Eye Physicians of North Houstonthose adults do not know how to alleviate their discomfort.

The symptoms of digital eye strain are painful, although temporary.  They are caused when the eye focuses on things at the typical distance of a smartphone or computer screen for an extended period of time.  These symptoms can include irritated and fatigued, dry or red eyes, blurred vision, headaches, back, neck and shoulder pain.  The discomfort caused by digital eyestrain can even have an adverse effect on productivity at work.

In the last year, new lens technology has been developed to address the rapidly growing problem of digital eye strain.  Similar to reading glasses, computer glasses can alleviate some of eye strainthe strain that is put on the eye’s focusing system.

The Vision Council lists these tips to help with eye strain in addition to computer glasses:

  • Use the 20-20-20 rule, which says, every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and look at something 20 feet Work Stationaway.
  • Create an eye friendly work station with good lighting, comfortable seat adjustments and computer monitor position
  • Enlarge your computer’s text and browser window size
  • Don’t forget to blink because staring at screens can dry the eyes

 

Call Eye Physicians of North Houston at (281) 893-1760, if you’re having a problem with eye strain.   If you would like more information on other conditions that can affect the eyes, please visit www.northhoustoneyecare.com.

If you would like to read the original article that inspired this blog post, click here.