Whether we admit it or not, we are increasingly dependent on various smart devices. But how do computers, smartphones, and tablets affect our eyes? And how can we protect our eyes from the blue light they emit?
Screens dominate our days
We often start our day already in bed reading emails, then go to work and spend eight hours in front of a computer. But in the evenings we open laptops, look into tablets, or curiously explore the world through a smartphone. Before falling asleep we read a book — but not on paper, rather through a tablet. In other words, looking at various screens is becoming an increasingly dominant activity in our days.
But are these screens entirely safe? Many eye doctors claim that electronic devices emit harmful blue light, which has a negative effect not only on the eyes but on the entire body, writes Huffingtonpost.
Blinking is often forgotten
Excessive screen use can affect the eyes in two ways. The most common is the development of dry eye syndrome. This is because when looking at a screen, we forget to blink and the moisture level in our eyes drops significantly.
When the eye stays dry for too long, the first negative effects begin to appear. These include dry or tired eyes, slightly blurred vision after prolonged screen use, or headaches. Since the symptoms are often subtle or not associated with screens, they can lead to serious chronic problems.
The eye's moisture level can be maintained by continuing to blink frequently even while looking at a screen. It may sound too simple, but blinking keeps moisture in balance and prevents many problems from developing.
Another option is to follow the "20-20-20" rule. According to this rule, every 20 minutes you should look at something 20 metres away for 20 seconds. This also helps the eyes rest and refresh when looking away from the screen.
Reduce your blue light exposure time
The second main cause of eye strain is the blue light emitted by digital screens. There is nothing inherently harmful or new about blue light itself, but today people are simply getting too much of it. And this is beginning to cause long-term eye problems.
How can this be avoided? A simple recommendation is to reduce your daily time spent looking at digital screens. If this is not possible due to work, then reduce your habits at home. For example, try to avoid screens for two hours before going to bed — your eyes will rest, and studies show that you will also sleep better.
Children's screen time should be particularly limited, as their eyes are not yet fully developed and their eyes' natural blue light filtering is therefore weaker. Parents should keep a close eye on ensuring that children do not spend more than a couple of hours a day in front of any screen. Eyes are fully developed at around the age of 18.
If you notice changes in your eyes, your vision is deteriorating, or your eyes are persistently sore, tired, stinging, or dry, consult your eye doctor.
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