Eye discomfort and dry eyes can happen to anyone who spends an extended amount of time using a computer or focusing on a task. But by using a pair of blue light filter glasses, you may be able to ease and even prevent the symptoms of dry eyes.
Did you know that when you work on a computer screen or are hyperfocused on a task for a long period of time, the frequency with which you blink drastically drops, leading to dry eyes? And did you know that the dangerous blue light emitted from LED bulbs, computer monitors and smartphone screens can cause uncomfortable eye fatigue?
These health problems are growing more and more prevalent and impacting the well-being of a young, once-healthy population. It’s a startling bit of information that could make you think twice about your extended screen time.
There are two core types of eye strain. One is traditional eye strain and develops from intense overuse. The other is digital eye strain and is caused directly from prolonged computer or digital device use. Let’s go through the core symptoms and causes of these two types of eye and vision-related problems and explore the various ways you can get relief.
Traditional Eye Strain
Eye strain and dry eyes occur when your eyes get tired from intense use. While eye strain can be extremely annoying, it normally isn’t serious and dissipates once you rest your eyes or attempt to reduce your eye discomfort. Typically, a change in your habits or environment can help.
For many people, wearing a pair of blue light computer glasses to protect the eyes from harmful blue light emitted from LED bulbs has been found to help ease eye strain. However, you should see your doctor if you continue to experience dry eyes, discomfort or any of the symptoms listed below.
Symptoms
- Sore and tired eyes
- Dry eyes
- Eye redness
- Burning or itching sensation
- Watery or dry eyes
- Irritated and blurred vision
- Sore neck, shoulders or back
- Headache
- Difficulty concentrating
- Inability to keep your eyes open
- Increased sensitivity to light
Causes
- Straining to see in dim light
- Exposure to bright lights or glare
- Reading without resting your eyes
- Exposure to dry moving air
- Stress or fatigue
- Having an underlying eye problem
- Driving long distances
How To Get Relief
- Make sure you’re wearing the proper eyewear.
- Use blue light filter glasses to help fight eye strain.
- Take occasional breaks and ease muscle tension.
- Use artificial tears to prevent and relieve dry eyes.
- Adjust lighting when watching television to keep the room softly lit.
- When doing close work or reading, either position the light behind you or directly on your page or task.
- Limit screen time, especially for children.
- Improve air quality by installing a humidifier, adjusting the thermostat and if you smoke, consider quitting.
Computer Vision Syndrome
Computer Vision Syndrome, or digital eye strain, is a term used to describe various eye and vision-related problems that are the direct result of prolonged computer, smartphone or tablet use. The blue light that is emitted from computer monitors and digital devices can significantly impact your eyes. It has been found that the discomfort level only increases with the amount of time spent on a screen.
Reading something on a digital screen tends to strain the eye more than reading print material because people tend to use devices that have a glare, reflection and poor contrast. People also inadvertently blink less when using computers, naturally drying out the eyes.
Most visual symptoms of digital eye strain are temporary and will decline once you stop using a computer or digital device. But some may continue to experience symptoms if nothing is done to address the cause of the issue.
Symptoms
- Straining to see the screen
- Burning sensation
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Ocular fatigue
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Dry eyes
Causes
- Digital screen glare
- Not blinking enough
- Poor lighting
- Poor posture
- Improper viewing distance
- Uncorrected vision problems
- Any combination of these causes
How To Get Relief
- Use a pair of blue light filter glasses to help block blue light and ease computer digital eye strain by increasing contrast.
- Blink often to produce tears to moisten and refresh your eyes.
- Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away from you for at least 20 seconds.
- Keep your digital device screen or monitor clean to reduce glare and reflection problems.
- Adjust your monitor so it’s about an arm’s length away and the top of the screen is at or just below eye level.
- Adjust screen settings. This includes enlarging type and adjusting contrast and brightness for more comfortable viewing.
Help Your Dry Eyes Today With Blue Light Filter Glasses
To help prevent and combat your dry eyes and eye strain, try out a pair of blue light blocking computer glasses from Dr. S Eyewear. Our blue light filter glasses have been tested and found to block up to 99 percent of blue lights. They can even help prevent both eye strain and dry eyes brought on by blue light emitted from lights, monitors and digital devices.
Choose from multiple styles:
- Small square blue light blocking glasses
- Large square blue light blocking glasses
- Round blue light blocking glasses
While blue light filter glasses are not a cure-all, they can help to combat dry eye symptoms.