Computer Vision Syndrome Treatment - Eye Pieces Plano
The average American child spends up to 4 hours a day on screens, while adults clock in at nearly 11 hours, which has caused a rise in eye health issues. Digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome (CVS), is a common eye condition caused by excessive screen time.
What Is Digital Eye Strain?
Digital eye strain affects people who spend extended periods focusing on digital devices such as TVs, computers, laptops, or smartphones.
About 70% of US adults suffer from this condition, with younger adults between 18–34 reporting more significant eyestrain. This can lead to reduced blinking, dryness, itching, redness, disrupted sleep patterns, upper body pain, and potentially contribute to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Common digital eye strain symptoms include:
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Dry or watery eyes
- Headaches
- Itchiness
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Red eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Sore eyes
What Is Blue Light and Is It Dangerous?
Blue light is naturally emitted by the sun and, in small quantities, offers benefits such as regulating the body’s sleep-wake cycle, boosting alertness, and enhancing mood.
However, it’s different from other colors on the visibility spectrum because it doesn't shine steadily. Instead, it flickers and causes short interruptions. This puts extra strain on our eyes, making them work harder and leading to eye stress and headaches.
In today's digital age, we’re exposed to excessive amounts of artificial blue light emitted by digital devices. This can result in memory problems, depression, sleep disruption, and even retinal damage.
Kids and Computer Use
Children are exposed to technology from a very young age, making it essential to prioritize children's eye health amid the growing availability of digital products.
Why Does Your Teen Need To Worry About Blue Light?
Teenagers spend countless hours on digital devices, which poses significant eye health risks. The constant exposure to LED screens can cause digital eye strain, which can result in symptoms such as dry eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, and headaches. These symptoms are partly because staring at screens for prolonged periods results in less blinking, leading to dryness and discomfort in the eyes.
Excessive screen time can also disrupt sleep patterns in teenagers and impact their eye health and academics.
Computer Glasses and Blue Light Protection
To protect your eyes from the effects of computer vision syndrome, you need protective eyewear. Special computer glasses with a blue light filter shield the eyes from harmful blue light while reducing strain.
Single vision computer glasses are ideal for fixed-distance computer work, whereas office or progressive lenses offer vision correction for near and distance vision.
Eye Pieces Plano also offers computer glasses for children to prevent computer vision syndrome from occurring.
Book an Eye Exam
Schedule an eye exam with one of our optometrists, who will assess your eyes and offer a tailored treatment plan based on your vision and lifestyle needs.
Visual Aids and Tools for Digital Eye Strain
Technological advancements have provided solutions for people with digital eye strain.
This includes anti-glare covers, adjusting screen resolution, and incorporating accessories such as supportive desk chairs, keyboards, and computer stands, which improve posture.
Jaime Gonzalez, O.D. will be glad to recommend a number of visual aids or devices that can help with your Digital Eye Strain symptoms, for more comfortable long-term computer use.
Reducing Screen Time
Tech companies have introduced built-in smartphone features to alert users when they exceed a certain amount of screen time to limit digital device usage.
Regular breaks during digital device use are also key, as is walking, stretching, spending time outdoors, and diversifying activities between computer sessions.
