Is Digital Eye Strain Real?

By Author: Pack Optical
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Have you ever noticed that your eyes feel tired, dry, or itchy after staring at a computer screen for hours? These are classic symptoms of digital eye strain, which is very real. Read on as an eye doctor Fort Worth, TX discusses this modern-day ailment along with things you can do to protect your eye health.

What Is Digital Eye Strain?

Digital eye strain is a form of computer vision syndrome (CVS) that can cause headaches, blurred vision, and eye fatigue. CVS is caused by staring at your screen for too long, whether it's a computer, cell phone, tablet, or video game. The longer you look at something, particularly when it has a lot of text or small details in it, the more likely you are to experience symptoms of digital eye strain.

In addition to these symptoms being uncomfortable enough on their own, there are also some serious health risks associated with them. The most common symptom associated with digital device use is dryness. Dryness can lead to inflammation, and over time, cause macular degeneration to develop, which is a gradual loss of central vision.

What Causes Digital Eye Strain?

One ...
... thing digital screens all have in common is that they emit blue light. The blue light emitted by your devices can damage the retina and cause you to experience CVS symptoms.

The more time you spend looking at a screen, the greater your risk for developing problems with your eyes. Also, not enough breaks or rest periods while working on a computer or similar device can cause eye strain. If you don't give yourself enough breaks to look away from the screen and relax your eyes, they'll become dry and fatigued.

Signs of Digital Eye Strain

There are many signs of CVS. Some of the most common symptoms are:

Headaches
Dry eyes, burning or gritty feeling in your eyes
Blurred vision or eye strain
Eye fatigue and soreness
Dry, itchy eyes
Redness or irritation of the eyes
Watery eyes
Discomfort while reading
Neck pain and stiffness

Treatment Options

If you experience any of the symptoms of CVS, it's important to see an eye doctor. He or she can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment options.

For example, if you have dry eyes and are experiencing blurry vision, your eye doctor may prescribe artificial tears or special drops that can lubricate the surface of your eyes. You may also need to use night-time glasses to reduce glare when working at home or in an office environment. Anti-glare glasses reduce the amount of blue light entering your eyes, which can help prevent headaches and blurry vision.

Things to Keep in Mind

The most important factor in preventing digital eye strain is to take frequent breaks and exercise your eyes. By doing this, you can reduce the risk of developing symptoms such as headaches and blurred vision. Make sure that you're getting enough sleep, eating properly, and drinking lots of water so that your eyes have what they need to function at their best!

If you have more questions or wish to schedule an eye wellness checkup, don’t hesitate to call us, your local eye doctor Fort Worth, TX, anytime!