Due to COVID-19 pandemics, we are entering some tough times when, like it or not, many of us will have to spend a lot of time in front of the electronic devices’ screens, probably even more so than in normal circumstances. Work, study, entertainment, socializing – all of that will be mostly done via the internet over the next few months. With the extensive use of electronic devices, however, certain disturbances to our eyes can arise – and prevailing among them is digital eye strain.
Digital eye strain is a modern disorder
Digital eye strain, also referred to as computer vision syndrome, is a disorder that affects some individuals after prolonged exposure to electronic devices. Most commonly, affected individuals will experience symptoms such as headache, eyestrain, blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain, dry eyes, usually a combination of several symptoms. The etiology of the disorder, while not fully understood, is believed to be the combination of several different factors. Those include poor lighting, improper viewing distances, uncorrected refractive problems, poor seating position as well as certain characteristics of the screens. The glare from the screens combined with reduced contrast of the letters to the background and relatively high emission rates of blue light all work against our eyes. To make matters worse viewing at a screen also unconsciously reduces our blink rate, which induces the unpleasant feeling of eye dryness.
20-20-20 rule is the king
Thankfully, there are plenty of recommendations out there on how to reduce the symptoms of digital eye strain. The easiest one is obviously to refrain from the use of electronic devices altogether – perhaps not exactly the one to go, especially in these times. Therefore, appropriate lighting to avoid glare, comfortable seating position, computer screen positioned 15 to 20 degrees below the eye level, frequent blinking, and rest breaks should definitely make prolonged computer use, or any electronic device for that matter, ever so slightly less demanding and more comfortable. Most importantly, follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes view something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds) as it is by far the easiest way to cope with the symptoms of digital eye strain.
All that, however, does not mean that your kinds should refrain from the use of Amblyoplay, oh no. With healthcare providers slowly but surely closing their doors, the possibility of a visit to an eye doctor might be limited in the next few months. Thus, it is now the time to make the most of vision training from the safety of your home.
