In India, more than 40 million people use digital devices, [1]and nearly 80% of these users face discomfort due to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). It is also known as digital eye strain that explains sight-and vision-related difficulties arising from extended use of laptops, tablets, e-readers, and mobile phones.
Many people suffer from eye discomfort and vision disorders due to prolonged usage of digital screens. Even those that use prescribed corrective eyeglasses or different types of contact lenses can get affected by excessive use of digital screens.
In today’s digital world, eye strain is a common condition as an increase in the use of digital screens increases the extent of discomfort and vision-related disorders.
Some Common Causes Of Eye Strain
The daily use of digital screens for long hours is one of the biggest causes of eyestrain. [2] On average, most people use digital screens for more than seven hours daily; as a result of this digital screen exposure, individuals, including teenagers, experience the effects of eyestrain or other eye conditions.
Some other common causes of eyestrain include:
- Concentrating or focusing on a specific task for a lengthier period, such as watching a movie or reading a book
- Poor posture when using a digital device
- Failing to blink frequently
- Holding and using a digital device either too far or too close to the eyes
- Getting exposed to prolonged volumes of blue light (emitted from digital devices)
- Watching and working on a screen that doesn’t have proper light-adjustment
Preventive Measures For Eye Strain
One of our most valuable senses is vision, and one of our most sensitive organs is our eyes. But we habitually ignore the importance of healthy eyes. Most people don’t care about their eye health until they have to start using eyeglasses, contact lenses, or go through eye surgery.
A few simple habits can help you prevent eye strain. Take a look at these easy preventive measures:
- Consider Contact Lenses with High Moisture
Getting in touch with your eye care practitioner to get your eyewear prescription changed to contact lenses that have high moisture retainability of 95% from reputable brands like Bausch+Lomb’s Ultra Contact lenses as it protects the eyes against dryness and irritation. So, whether you use regular glasses or use contact lenses, getting a recommendation from your eye care practitioner is a great way to maintain your eye health.
- Exercise Your Eyes
While using digital screens, our eyes get tired due to the constant focus on the screen. Looking away from the computer or digital device every 20 minutes to look at a distant object (a minimum of 20 feet away) for at least 20 seconds helps relieve our eyes of stress.
[3] The American Optometric Association calls it the ‘20/20/20 rule’. Looking at distant objects relaxes the focusing muscle inside your eyes to reduce exhaustion. If you already have corrective visual aids such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, or not it is highly recommended that you exercise your eyes regularly.
- Blink More Often
Tears that coat the eye evaporate rapidly when there is no blinking, and this could result in dry eyes. Blinking moistens the eyes and prevents dryness and irritation when using a computer or other digital devices. Whether you use glasses, contact lenses, or don’t use any visual aid, following the “20-20-20” rule is a great way to alleviate eye strain. An easy way to do this is to blink every time you hit enter or space on your computer. This helps maintain moisture in the eyes.
- Regular Eye Examination
Everyone should follow this measure. Whether you have vision problems and use glasses or contact lenses, or if you have healthy eyes, having your eyes examined by an optometrist regularly is a great habit. Not only does regular eye examination help with corrective visual aids, but it also proves beneficial to prevent any severe conditions. It is recommended to get a thorough eye check-up done at least twice a year.
Caring for Your Eyes
Our eyes are the gateway to see and experience the world around us. Today, everything is getting digitalized, so there is no escaping eye strain. But if we follow healthy habits and take preventive measures, eye strain can be handled and minimized effectively. Get in touch with an eye care practitioner before you consider using any visual aids such as glasses or contact lenses.
Amongst all the choices available, it is crucial to choose and buy products from brands that are trusted by many for providing premium quality products and eye care such as Bausch+Lomb. They are a global brand, renowned for delivering innovations in eye care products that includes various types of contact lenses. Remember that healthy habits lead to a healthier you!
