Reduce Strain & Find Comfort

If you’re like any of the 96% of Americans who use digital devices, you likely spend a decent amount of time on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. While these items make our lives easier and more entertaining, they can also lead to uncomfortable digital eye strain symptoms.

Digital eye strain occurs after looking at a digital device for more than 2 hours, and affects children as well as adults. Fortunately, eye strain poses no long-term eye health risks, but can be uncomfortable and painful. However, some symptoms of digital eye strain are similar to other eye conditions, so it’s always safest to get advice from an eye care professional.

Our team at Total Vision Solana Beach is here to help you and your family avoid the discomfort that comes with virtual learning, computer work, and leisure time spent in front of a digital device. Please call us soon to bo o k an appointment.

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Common eye diseases

Digital eye strain symptoms include:

Sore, tired, burning, or itching eyes
Watery or dry eyes
Blurred or double vision
Headache
Sore neck, shoulders, or back
Sensitivity to light
Difficulty concentrating
The feeling that you can’t keep your eyes open

Causes of Digital Eye Strain

Despite the name, it’s not the digital devices themselves that cause the problem. It’s the intense focus on one task over an extended period that puts stress on your eyes and causes discomfort. In fact, people can even experience eye strain while driving long distances, reading without taking a break, or straining to see in dim lighting.

However, digital device use is one of the most common causes of eye strain because digital screens make our eyes work harder. Letters and graphics on a digital screen are often not as defined as they are on a physical page, and screen contrast, glare, and reflections can make viewing a digital screen difficult.

Uncorrected vision problems can also contribute to digital eye strain. And poor viewing distances, angles, and posture can result in head, neck, or back spasms that cause discomfort and pain while using a digital device.

Preventing Digital Eye Strain

Preventing digital eye strain can be done by making some simple adjustments to your device use habits:

Give your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This time gives your eyes a chance to relax and refocus.
Give your children time away from their screens and encourage outdoor play time. Outdoor time, coupled with the 20-20-20 rule, give your child’s eyes the best chance of developing normally.
Set up your workstation and office chair to support proper computer posture to avoid injuries and reduce strain on your head, neck, back, and eyes.
Adjust your screen brightness and contrast to match your environment and reduce glare by turning your screen away from bright light.
See your optometrist for regular eye exams so you can correct any vision problems that affect your ability to use your device comfortably.

Book Your Appointment Today!

Our Total Vision team is always available to help you and your family achieve clear, comfortable vision! Please book an eye care appointment if you or your child struggle with digital eye strain symptoms.

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