Your Eyes and Your Screen

The world is changing, and technology is advancing at a rapid pace. In the last 2 decades we have witnessed the improvement in screen picture quality due to the increase in pixels. Advances in Technology has indeed to proven to be a double-edged sword:

On one hand there is the ease with which information can be assessed and services rendered.

And on the other, we have misinformation and the addiction that comes with screen use.

Speaking of addiction to screen use, we can all attest to the fact that the time spent on screens has increased exponentially. Majority of adults spend upwards of 4 hours per day looking at some type of screen, be it for work or for leisure.

As eye care practitioners we see the harm that this over-exposure to screens can cause and are obligated to educate our patients about these dangers.

1. Dry Eyes: When we stare at screens, we tend not to blink as frequently as we need to. This can lead to the cornea, the outermost eye structure, not getting the required lubrication. This will in turn lead to dry eyes. The symptoms include watery eyes, itchy eyes, feeling of grittiness, sandy sensations, blurry vision, tired eyes, etc. 

2. Trouble Switching focus: Many people who use screens for more than 2 hours at a stretch complain about not being able to see things in the distance after looking up and away from their screens. This is because the “focusing system” of the eyes have been overworked so that it gets stuck in the “near setting” and this can cause things that are farther away to look blurry. 

3. Headaches: It goes without saying that too much of anything is not good. Excessive screen use can cause headaches. It must also be said that there are other factors which can contribute to this issue, but we can deal with them some other time. 

4. Neck, Shoulder, and Back issues: The posture taken by most people when using screens can put undue strain on the neck, shoulders, upper back and even lower back. 

5. Altered Sleep/Wake Cycle: Prolonged use of screens especially before bedtime has been linked to sleeping issues like difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep and not getting quality sleep. This is because screens produce a form of blue light which has the potential to disturb our sleep cycle.

   
   

Stay tuned to this blog to get solutions to the above stated issues. Catch you on the next one.