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Digital screens have become an essential part of working life, whether it’s insignificant screen time to schedule a meeting on the calendar or sitting at a desk working on a laptop in the office for long periods of time. Eye strain is undeniably unhealthy, but with the inexorable involvement of technology in work these days, screens cannot be eliminated. Digital eye strain has serious side effects and needs to be addressed to maintain a healthy relationship with technology in the workplace.
In an interview with HT, Dr. Ajay Sharma, Chief Medical Director, Eye-Q, talked about digital eye syndrome and said, “Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS), is particularly It is becoming common for people. Working from home where prolonged screen use is the norm. Research shows that over 50% of individuals who spend significant time on computers suffer from some degree of eye strain, which highlights how widespread this problem has become.
Dr. Sharma revealed that increased and constant exposure to screens while working is one of the primary causes of severe digital eye strain. This causes adaptation stress, which occurs when the eyes are forced to focus on the screen at a set distance for a long period of time.
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effects of stress on eyes
Emphasizing that prolonged exposure to screens weakens the eye muscles, Dr Sharma said, “This constant strain can tire the muscles responsible for focusing, leading to discomfort, blurred vision and blurred vision. There may be difficulty in changing vision and focus. Over time, it can also cause headaches and persistent visual disturbances.
He also described other eye concerns that can develop from eye strain and said, “Binocular vision strain can develop when the eyes have to work harder together to maintain clear vision at close range. “This extra effort can put pressure on the eye muscles, resulting in symptoms such as double vision or feeling as if the eyes are not properly aligned.”
As the blink rate reduces significantly when exposed to digital screens, dry eye syndrome develops. According to Dr. Sharma, “Dry eye syndrome is another matter of concern. When using digital devices, the blink rate often decreases, causing less tear production and causing tears to evaporate more quickly. This can cause symptoms such as irritation, redness, and grittiness, and if not taken care of, can also increase the risk of corneal damage and chronic eye problems.
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Techniques to relieve eye strain
Dr. Sharma recommended some techniques to help reduce eye discomfort and maintain eye health. These simple but effective ways to support long-term eye health, especially in relation to digital screen exposure –
1. 20-20-20 rule
Vision remains focused on the screen for a long time which causes all the eye problems. The 20-20-20 rule is a useful exercise for taking breaks from screens. “Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to focus on something 20 feet away,” Dr. Sharma advised. This simple approach, done repeatedly throughout the day, goes a long way in developing a healthy relationship with screen time.
2. Customize Screen Settings
Often without realizing it, the screen’s font and brightness are at low eye-friendly levels. It is very jarring to watch and creates more pressure on the eyes. “Adjust brightness, contrast, and text size to reduce eye strain,” suggested Dr. Sharma. Calibrating settings for effective viewing is better for eye health.
3. Sync ambient light with screen light
Wherever you work, there should be proper lighting. Dr. Sharma stressed the importance of ambient lighting and said that adequate lighting reduces screen glare. Ambient lighting also helps reduce eye strain. The brightness of the ambient light should be more or less equal to the brightness of the screen to prevent eye discomfort caused by brightness contrast.
4. Eye drops for dry eyes
Often staying on the screen for a long time will cause itching and dryness in the eyes. Dr. Sharma suggested using lubricating eye drops. Artificial tears help relieve the symptoms of dry eyes.
5. Blinking frequently
Make a habit of blinking more often when using screens. Dr. Sharma advised blinking regularly to keep the eyes moist. Along with this, blinking frequently provides some relief from the screen.
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