Over the last few months I have spent so much time in front of a laptop and my mobile device. So much that I noticed after a long day in the office, I would feel sensitivity to light when I stepped outside. I also noticed that when I read things on my phone it seemed a little blurry. Even worse was when I was at the pharmacy and trying to read the labels on medication. I couldn’t even see what was written. All a blur. What happened? I used to read this so easily. After getting my eyes checked by an optometrist, he said it was age that was the big factor. As we get older the eyes naturally aren’t the same. Somehow I couldn’t let go of the reality that all the time I’m spending in front of a screen could be the very culprit for my issue. He did agree that all the screen time could be akong things worse. Wearing the proper glasses can help. Not only for reading, but also a pair designed to reduce the glare from the screen would also be a benefit.

I now wear reading glasses. I came across a recent article that brought up this very topic. Myopia Nearly 50% of people have developed this condition today. That’s significant considering in the late 1990s – early 2000s it was approximately 2% of the population. CVS Computer vision syndrome is often referred to as digital eyestrain. It’s directly linked to how many hours we spend looking at screens. We tend to suffer from dry, strained eyes and blurry vision as a result. Some studies suggest that the eyes could potentially suffer from macular degeneration caused by the light emitted from devices. What can you do to be proactive and combat any issues? There are a few things you can do to help.

1. If you can reduce the time spent in front of a screen.

I know, this is almost impossible in our times since nearly everything we do involves using a phone, tablet or laptop (computer).

When you can avoid using your gadgets. Maybe just read a book, do some exercise or simply relax.

2. Take Breaks

Every fifteen to twenty minutes it’s a good idea to look away from the screen. Perhaps look at something in the distance or just take a walk and do not look at any screens; laptop, TV, mobile device. This helps to relax your eye muscles and give them a break.

3. Use Eyedrops

I actually started doing this at the recommendation of both an eye doctor and pharmacists. It’s worked wonders for me.

Use an eye lubricant or artificial tears when your eyes are feeling dry and you’ll feel so much better.

4. Distance Yourself From the screen.

Sitting at arm’s length will help you to reduce how much you’re straining your eyes to look at the screen.

5. Eye Exercise

My previous optometrist once told me that doing exercises for my eyes could be be way of keeping them healthy. He suggested that I take my index finger and move it around while following with my eyes. He went on to say that with my hand stretched out I could bring my finger close to my nose and follow, It would help me with focus. In the end one of my solutions was reading glasses +1.50. It has made reading fine print so much easier, but I also don’t want to be too reliant on them. Occasionally I will try reading without, hoping that I’m exercising my eyes. Another tip that may help is enlarging the font on your screen.