How Screen Time Is Impacting Your Vision

Many people spend several hours each day staring at screens. Whether it’s your computer screen at work or scrolling your social media accounts on your phone, too much screen time can be detrimental to your vision. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your vision in good shape.

What Is Blue Light and How Does it Affect Your Eyes?

Blue light is one of the colors of sunlight. Other colors of sunlight include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet light. Combined, these lights become the white light you see. Blue light has short wavelengths, which means it emits higher amounts of energy than red or orange light.

Generally, blue light has a positive effect on your health. Studies suggest blue light makes you alert and elevates your mood. Blue light also helps to keep you awake during the day and enhances your memory and overall cognitive function. However, too much exposure to blue light can damage your eyesight.

Apart from sunlight, TV screens, computer screens and smartphones are the main sources of blue light exposure. Excessive exposure to blue light may result in the following conditions:

• Retina damage – Blue light can damage the inner lining of the back of your eye (the retina), which can lead to vision problems like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts
• Sleep disturbances – Blue light is known to suppress the natural release of melatonin and disrupt sleep
• Eye fatigue – Overexposure to blue light can tire your eyes, resulting in headaches and double vision
• Eye irritation – Because you blink less when staring at screens, your eyes can easily become dry and irritated, which can negatively affect the health of your eyes
• Nearsightedness – Blue light can lead to nearsightedness, a condition in which you see objects near you clearly, while objects farther away are hazy and difficult to see

How You Can Protect Your Eyes from Blue Light

For many people, escaping from blue light exposure is nearly impossible. If your job requires you to use a computer or a laptop, chances are good your eyes need protection from the effects of blue light.

Coating your computer screen with an anti-blue light screen protector can help shield your eyes from extended exposure to blue light. It also keeps your information safe and secure by protecting your screen from intrusive coworkers.

Investing in a pair of quality blue light glasses may also be a good idea. Like screen protectors, blue light glasses aide your screen-strained eyes by blocking blue light. As a result, they may help prevent blurry vision in the long run and keep those unwelcomed headaches at bay.

More Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

There are several things you can do to reduce harmful screen time and maintain healthy vision:

• Take frequent breaks – If your job necessitates staring at a computer screen, try to take a break every 20 minutes by looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds (this is known as the 20-20-20 rule)
• Apply eyedrops – Use over the counter eyedrops, like artificial tears, to prevent your eyes from drying out
• Maintain adequate distance – Avoid staring too closely at your screen by keeping an arm’s length distance and keeping your screen at a downward angle
• Eat an eye-healthy diet – Consume foods rich in vitamins, minerals and fats that keep your eyes healthy, like carrots, broccoli, fish and berries
• Regulate the brightness of your screen – Ensure that your screen is never brighter than the surrounding light as this causes unnecessary strain on your eyes
• See Your Eye Doctor – Don’t wait until you develop a vision problem; keep your eyes healthy by getting yearly vision exams

Cater to Your Eye Care Needs in Houston with the Help of the St. Hope Foundation

Houston residents can take advantage of the variety of vision services St. Hope offers. Whether you’re suffering from an eye problem, need new glasses or simply want to get your eyesight checked, we offer a variety of affordable vision services.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (713) 778-1300 or fill out our form online.