Q: I spend most of my day working on a computer and answering emails on my phone. Is digital eye strain a real concern, and if so, what can I do to help my eyes?
A: The increased amount of time spent using and looking at screens has caused a lot of concern about what this may be doing to our eyes. Although little research has shown that blue light is particularly harmful to our eyes, or that screens have some sort of cosmic power to disrupt our vision, it is true that your eyes may become tired after staring at a screen all day. Spending a lot of time staring at a screen may reduce the amount of times you blink, resulting in tired, dry or strained eyes.
Some preventative measures you can take to keep your eyes from feeling too tired:
* Sit at least 25 inches away from your computer screen, and try to angle the screen so that you are looking slightly downward.
* Follow the "20-20-20" rule. Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen at an object or area 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Short breaks can really help your eyes.
* If a screen is much brighter than the surrounding light, try to adjust its brightness (or the room lighting) to reduce the amount of contrast between the two. Screen lighting that is drastically different from the surrounding lighting forces your eyes to work harder.
Make sure to get regular eye exams, and consult your ophthalmologist if you are experiencing excessive eye discomfort.
- Carey Dozier, M.D., East Ridge Eye Center; Chattanooga Hamilton County Medical Society member