Screens are everywhere. From our morning alarms on smartphones to late-night binge-watching on tablets, they play an important role in our daily routines. But with these devices so entwined into our lives, many people are wondering—does screen time affect your eyes?
Screen time does affect your eyes, but it’s almost always temporary. These devices can strain the eyes and cause irritation and discomfort. In some situations, prolonged screen time can also affect your sleep patterns. Moderation is key when it comes to screens, and if you ever notice anything unusual, visit your optometrist as soon as you can.
Why Do Screens Hurt My Eyes?
Throughout your eyes and head, you have plenty of tiny muscles. These are responsible for helping you point, aim, and see with your eyes. However, they’re like any other muscle in the body—when you overuse them, they tire out.
Imagine trying to hold up a weight constantly with one hand. It might be easy at first, but within a few minutes, it starts to tire you out. When you use screens, you’re doing something similar to your eyes. You’re overworking the tiny muscles, which can lead to something called “digital eye strain.”
When we use screens, we’re focusing on something for extended periods. However, our eyes aren’t naturally adapted to this habit. We’ve evolved to be constantly switching between distances, which gives these tiny muscles a break.
Positioning and posture matter too. If you’re too close to the screen or have an awkward posture, it can further stress your eyes. A comfortable setup makes screen usage much more comfortable, but it’s just one piece of a larger puzzle.
The Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain
If you’ve ever noticed your eyes feeling heavier than usual after reading or using screens, you’ve probably dealt with eye strain. As it worsens, you might notice a dull throb or ache in your eyes.
Some other symptoms of digital eye strain include:
- Dry eyes
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sensitivity to light
If you’re noticing one or more of these symptoms regularly, it’s time to reassess your habits. Making proactive changes can make screen usage much more comfortable.
Does Digital Eye Strain Cause Permanent Problems?
The effects of digital eye strain are typically temporary. However, if left unchecked, they can quickly impact your daily life. It’s crucial to understand that while the strain itself isn’t long-term, the habits causing it can lead to persistent issues if ignored.
Regular strain can potentially lead to more chronic problems like continuous headaches or persistent focus issues. That’s why recognizing and addressing these symptoms in their early stages is so important—it helps you prevent potential problems from worsening.
How Screens Affect the Eyes
Meanwhile, screens also expose you to something called “blue light.” This is more complicated than simple strain. Blue light is a particular wavelength of the visible spectrum of light. For most of our history, the biggest source of blue light has been the sun.
Because of this, we’ve evolved to associate blue light exposure with the daytime. When we see blue light, our body suppresses melatonin—the hormone that helps you fall and stay asleep. When blue light fades as the sun sets, we produce melatonin to sleep through the night.
This is problematic in today’s modern world. We’re more exposed to blue light than ever, which means our sleep patterns are often disrupted. This becomes more of a problem for those who use screens later at night. It can eventually throw off your circadian rhythm and cause sleep disruptions, which can cause even worse problems.
Tips For Preventing Digital Eye Strain
Fortunately, digital eye strain is also easy to prevent. You can significantly reduce the risk of developing eye strain by making some simple at-home adjustments.
To keep your eyes comfortable with screens, try to:
- Practice the 20-20-20 rule by looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This helps give the tiny muscles in your eyes a break.
- Adjust your screen settings to reduce glare and blue light exposure. This reduces how hard you need to work to focus.
- Position your screen at arm’s length and slightly below eye level. This makes it easier to maintain proper posture while working.
- Ensure proper lighting in your workspace to decrease harsh reflections. Glare can make vision much more uncomfortable.
These tips are extremely simple, but their effects can be incredible. Preventing eye strain is about creating a balance and giving your eyes the rest they need. Don’t forget to take regular breaks, and you should notice your screen time is easier on your eyes.
Get Help for Your Eye Strain
Your eyes deserve attention, especially in today’s digital world. So if you ever notice something unusual—especially when trying to focus—come see our team at EyeCare Niagara in St. Catharines. We can help find out what’s causing your symptoms, and we’ll work with you to create a plan going forward. Schedule an appointment with us today, and let’s work together to keep your vision comfortable and clear.
