4 Simple Tips to Prevent Digital Eye Strain

Computer vision syndrome, also referred to as digital eye strain, describes a group of vision-related issues that result from prolonged use of your cell phone, computer, or tablet. Here are some of the symptoms you should be aware of and top tips from our Calgary optometrist on how to protect your eye health.

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Whether it’s a smartphone or a computer, we are now using our devices more frequently than ever. In fact, up to 65 per cent of people experience some type of discomfort or digital eye strain following prolonged use of such devices. Some of the common symptoms of this eye condition include: 

• Eye fatigue
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Eye twitching
• Itchy, dry, or sore eyes

These symptoms can be caused by a number of factors, including uncorrected vision problems, improper viewing distance, poor lighting, or glare on a digital screen. Whatever the reason, it’s important to make your eye health a priority and visit your Calgary optometrist for regular eye exams, so they can help ensure your vision stays comfortable and clear. 

Calgary Eye Exams

If you're experiencing computer vision symptoms, or are looking for more information on how to protect yourself from the harmful effects of blue light and screen use, contact our Calgary optometrists.

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CONTACT OUR CALGARY OPTOMETRISTS 

4 Tips on How to Prevent Digital Eye Strain 

Our digital devices are a normal part of everyday life. From our computer screens to our tablets and smartphones, we enjoy screen time when we are working, shopping, and studying. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, this list has expanded even more, as we are now using technology to stay connected to friends and family. 

If you are using your digital devices for several hours a day, here are some steps you can take to protect your eye health and ensure your vision stays clear and comfortable: 

1. Visit Your Optometrist 

Visiting your eye doctor is the best way to diagnose and prevent digital eye strain. An eye exam and your optometrist’s professional advice can also help you rule out any other health issues that may be causing dry eyes or strain. 

Inform Your Eye Doctor About Your Digital Device Use

It’s important to discuss your digital device use with your eye doctor, including how far you sit from the screen and how many hours you use your devices, as this can help them better understand how your eyes interact with technology on a daily basis. 

TREATING COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME IN CALGARY 
 

2. Adjust Your Display Settings 

You can help lower your risk of suffering from digital eye strain by making several adjustments to your display settings. Such changes include: 

• Brightness: Adjust the brightness of your screen display so that it is approximately the same brightness as your surroundings. If your screen looks like a light source, it is too bright. If it seems dull and grey, it may be too dark.
• Colour temperature: Adjust the monitor’s colour temperature to reduce the amount of blue colours on your screen. Blue light is short wave-length visible light that is associated with more eye strain than longer wavelength hues, such as red and orange.
• Contrast: Adjust the text size and contrast so that it is comfortable to read. Black print on a white background is the best combination for comfort.

These steps are simple and easy to make, yet they will make a significant difference when it comes to protecting your eye health and the clarity of your vision. 

3. Talk to Your Optometrist About Blue Block Lenses 

If you do use your digital devices frequently throughout the day, you should talk to your optometrist about blue light blocking lenses. These can help protect your eyes from computer vision syndrome, and have a number of advantages, including: 

• Reduction in digital eye strain and its associated symptoms, including headaches, eye soreness, and blurry vision
• Lowered risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can be heightened by prolonged exposure to digital devices and blue light
• Improved sleeping habits and quality of sleep

At Blink Eyewear, our Crowfoot optometrists can recommend computer glasses/blue light lenses that are designed to ease eye strain and create a more comfortable visual experience when working on your screen.

COMPUTER GLASSES AT OUR CALGARY EYE CLINIC 
 

4. Check Your Contact Lenses 

If you wear contact lenses, you may notice increased eye sensitivity when working at your computer. Staring at the screen all day reduces your blink rate and causes you to blur and refocus your vision often, which can result in dryness, irritation, eye strain, and fatigue. 

The best way to reduce eye strain and fatigue is to get contact lenses that are perfectly suited to your vision correction needs. During a comprehensive contact lens fitting, our eye doctors can help find the right type of lens for you to help you maintain good vision, eye health, and productivity. 

4 CONTACT LENS TIPS FOR DRY EYE SUFFERERS 
 

Contact Us

Regular eye exams and proper viewing habits can help prevent or reduce the development of symptoms associated with computer vision syndrome. To find out how our team of Calgary eye doctors can help protect your eye health and vision, contact us at our Crowfoot (403-547-5417), West Springs (403-242-0999) or Creekside (403-516-2292) branches.