How Does Screen Time Affect Eyesight?

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Our everyday life involves a lot of screen time, and there is no denying it. From classes to job everything now involves screen time. We cannot run away from screens no matter how much we try. From smartphones to laptops, tablets, and televisions we spend most of our time in a day in front of these bright screens. How many times have you lost yourself scrolling through your phone without minding? Couple of times a day right We all have been there. But spending excessive time on the digital screens has raised several concerns, on the impact of these screens on the eyes leading to severe eye strain. 

While excessive screen time can cause some discomfort, the good news is that it doesn’t directly cause permanent damage. However, it can lead to a condition called digital eye strain, and there are some long-term concerns to be explored. 

What is blue light?

Digital screens emit blue light, a type of high-energy visible light. Blue light is naturally present in sunlight and plays a vital role in regulating the human’s natural sleep-wake cycle or commonly known as the circadian rhythm. However there are several long-term effects of exposure to blue light. If you are someone who spends a lot of time in front of the digital screen, consult the  best eye doctor in Coimbatore to find the best protective choices to reduce eye strain. 

Here’s what they can lead to:

Blue light and macular degeneration:

In elderly individuals, age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the primary cause of vision loss. However when people are exposed to high amounts of blue light the risk of developing macular degeneration increases. 

Blue light and sleep:

Exposure to blue light late in the evening can affect melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep. This can interfere with the sleep pattern and makes it harder to fall asleep.

Does screen time cause permanent vision damage?

Many people assume that prolonged screen time can cause permanent vision damage but that is not the case. Imagine, the sun emits the brightest light that we come across everyday. Although it never really causes permanent damage, it can lead to several vision related problems due to the eye strain. The sun is known to produce different colors of light along with ultraviolet rays which is one of the harmful light rays and can cause damage to the eyes. But the sunlight emitted is from far and when exposed in little quantities it may not have any effect. The digital screens often emit blue light, this light has a shorter wavelength and emits high amounts of energy. And can cause serious damage as it is emitted in a shorter radius. 

What are the conditions that might develop when you are exposed to blue light?

The majority of people assume that exposure to blue light can only cause nearsightedness or myopia. But there are several other conditions that might follow because of long exposure to blue light like digital eye strain and dry eye syndrome. These conditions can follow as the eyes need to move around your screen and also blinking is reduced when you look at a screen. And this makes the eyes strained due to a lot of movement and work.

What is digital eye strain?

Staring at a digital screen for excessive screen time effects can lead to digital eye strain (DES), also known as computer vision syndrome. This is a temporary condition that causes a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

Eye fatigue: 

This shows as tired, heavy eyes, or even double vision. 

Dry eyes: 

Screens reduce our blink rate, leading to dry and irritated eyes.

Blurred vision: 

This can be caused by the constant focusing effort required to view digital content. 

Headaches: 

Eye strain can often trigger headaches and neck pain. These symptoms are usually temporary and resolve with a break from screen time. However, chronic discomfort can affect productivity and quality of life. 

What is dry eye syndrome?

A common condition known as dry eye disease arises when your tears are insufficient to lubricate your eyes adequately. For a variety of reasons, tears may not be sufficient or steady. For instance, inadequate tear production or low-quality tear production can lead to dry eyes and eye strain. The instability of tears causes inflammation and surface damage to the eye.

The common symptoms of dry eyes syndrome:

  • Eye redness
  • Mucus in or around the eyes
  • Watery eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye fatigue
  • A feeling of something in the eyes

Along with the mentioned symptoms you may also experience eye pain due to screen time which can interrupt your work or other daily activities. 

How is screen time and myopia related?

Myopia, or nearsightedness is a common vision condition where distant objects may appear blurry. There has been a visible rise in myopia conditions worldwide, particularly among children. While the exact reasons are not completely clear, there is a possible link between prolonged screen time and myopia development. The explanation is that focusing on near objects for extended periods, as with screens, may cause the eyeball to widen, leading to myopia. 

What are the protective tips for your eyes in this digital age?

While screen time itself doesn’t cause permanent damage, it’s still important to practice healthy habits to minimize discomfort and potential long-term risks. Here are some tips:

The 20-20-20 rule:

Every 20 minutes, step away from the screen for 20 seconds and focus on something that is 20 feet away. This has led to many concerns about the impact of screen time on our eyesight along with eye strain. 

Adjust screen brightness: 

Reduce the screen brightness and adjust contrast for a more comfortable viewing experience. Consider using built in night mode features that reduce blue light emission in the evenings.

Maintain good posture:

Ensure proper posture and screen distance to reduce eye strain. 

Blink knowingly:

When concentrating on a screen, we typically blink less. Make a conscious effort to blink more often to keep your eyes moistened or lubricated.

Take breaks:

Schedule regular breaks from screens throughout the day.

See your eye doctor:

Get regular eye exams to monitor your eye health and discuss any concerns you might have about screen time and your vision. 

Important Takeaway:

Screens cannot be avoided in life. By understanding how screen time affects our eyes sight and implementing healthy habits, we can minimize discomfort and protect our vision. Remember, balance is the key. Reach out to the top eye hospital in Coimbatore, if you are facing issues with vision.


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