Optometrists are receiving complaints from growing numbers of patients concerned with about digital eye strain. Symptoms include dry eyes, dizziness, headaches, blurred vision and insomnia. Indeed, instances of this new type of eye condition are now so numerous that it even has a name – “computer vision syndrome”, ostensibly caused by blue light emitted from the screens of the devices that we use every day.

Is Blue Light the Enemy?

Just as UV light is emitted from the sun and is not a problem in small doses, for example, it is what gives you a sun tan, but prolonged exposure can lead to sun burn, and even skin cancer in extreme cases. Indeed, we don’t just absorb the blue light from our screens.

The blue light emitted from computer screens is obviously tiny when compared to that emitted from the sun, but what makes blue light harmful not only because of our prolonged exposure to it from staring at LED screens, but also because our eyes are not that well adapted to blocking it.

1. Get your eyes checked

The best way to pre-empt any eye health issue is to get your eyes tested regularly. This will give you a head start if you are displaying any of the symptoms of computer vision syndrome, and your optician will be able to give you all the advice you need to nip it in the bud.

Even with all the safety measures in place, you still need to go for regular eye tests. It is advisable to have your eyes checked at least once a year.

2. Invest in a computer lens

Recognizing the scale of the problem posed by blue light exposure, the eyewear industry has responded by developing computer lenses. These lenses are treated with a coating that blocks blue light from entering the eye, allowing the wearer to concentrate on LED screens for prolonged periods without straining their eyes.

3. Keep Hydrated

Although there are many possible reasons why your eyes may be dry, dryness in the eyes is a common symptom of digital eye strain – your eyes need the water to keep them healthy and lubricated.

One of the best ways to curb dryness in the eyes is to drink plenty of water.

4. Take a break

For many of us, staring at a screen for hours on end is unavoidable, given how many jobs involve working on computers all day. However, there are some simple exercises you can do to protect your eyes – this is known as the 20-20-20 rule.

Give your eyes a break every twenty minutes. During each break, look away from your screen for around twenty seconds, blink a few times and close your eyes for a few seconds to moisten and refresh your eyes. Once you have done this, stand up, move around and look at something that is twenty feet away. This will allow your eyes to refocus on objects that are further away and avoids the eye strain that can happen when focusing on objects close to you.

5. Clean your screens

How clean is your computer screen? Most LED screens, on computers or mobile phones, are usually covered with our fingerprints, marks and dust particles, and this can actually help intensify the blue light entering your eyes. The worst culprit is the dust that sticks to your screen, since dust particles reflect the light and that will affect your eyes.

6. Adjust lighting to suit the mood

The intensity of the light coming from your computer, tablet or smartphone can be very harsh, especially when the brightness and contrast is set on high

If you’re the type who likes reading e-books before you go to sleep, most devices have a night mode function, which minimizes the light from the screen. Additionally, there are several apps that can help reduce the brightness of your devices and keep them at the same intensity as your indoor lighting – f.lux is one of the most widely used, and is completely free.

For more information on computer lenses, check out our guide and shop yourself a pair today. 

If you have any extra questions, feel free to consult our online optician. Find out more here.