Prevention is the main strategy in addressing digital eye strain
Spending extended periods in front of digital screens such as computers, smartphones, and tablets will strain your eyes. This condition is known as digital eye strain (DES).
The symptoms of DES, which include irritation, dry eye, headaches, fatigue, light sensitivity, and neck and shoulder pain, can be bothersome. If you are exhibiting these symptoms, daily screen time without breaks may be what has led to DES.
Janet Kok, an optometrist and co-founder of Mine Optometrist in Batu Pahat, Johor, commented that due to the widespread adoption of digital devices by society, DES was now quite common.
“Based on my observation among my clientele, it mostly affects working adults.”
Preventing DES is challenging
Reducing screen time is the best way to treat DES. This may be challenging, though, as computers and other digital devices are necessary for our daily lives and workplace, which adds to the unavoidable long exposure to screens.
Consequently, changing your routine and surroundings can help alleviate or prevent DES symptoms, such as;
- Taking frequent breaks by practising the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away from the digital screen for 20 seconds.
- Adjust the brightness, text size, and contrast of computer display settings.
- Reduce glare from the light sources in your environment.
- Place your screen so that the centre of it is about four to five inches below eye level (about 15 to 20 degrees from the horizontal).
- Ensure your screen is about arm’s length from your eyes, ie, about 20 to 28 inches.
- Remember to blink often because blinking helps produce tears that moisten and refresh your eyes.
- Fix your chair height so your feet can rest comfortably on the floor. Don’t slump over the computer screen.
Get a regular eye examination
According to Janet, the awareness of DES is low among the Batu Pahat populace. Only after having their eyes examined do they learn about DES.
Mine Optometrist provides comprehensive eye care services. “We offer our clients eye examination services in addition to prescribing glasses and contact lenses.”
A regular eye examination is important, said Janet. It is advised to have your eye examined once a year. However, if you are experiencing eye or vision problems, check your eyes immediately.
Eye examination may reveal an underlying eye condition that must be treated with lubricating eye drops, vision therapy and corrective glasses or contact lenses.
“I’m quite happy with our Johnson & Johnson Vision Care partnership. They provide us with good support and education on their ACUVUE contact lenses. They also provide us with trial contact lenses, which allows us to fit and prescribe suitable contact lenses for the patient.” – The Health
Tips for transiting to contact lenses
• Ask your optometrist for consultation & guidance – learn how to wear your particular type of contact lenses by listening to the best advice from eye care professionals.
• Wash your hands – always wash your hands first before putting on contact lenses to avoid eye infections by preventing germs or debris from your hands from transferring to your contact lenses or eye tissues.
• Give some time to become comfortable wearing contact lenses – start by putting them on for four hours, then take them off and put your glasses back on. Wear them for an hour longer every day until you can wear them for a day or longer.
• Exercise patience – contact lenses need time to settle before offering you perfect vision. It advised to put them in advance before you start working or any other activity.
• Know which contact lenses is which – be very careful not to put your contact lenses in the wrong side because your left and right eyes will have different vision prescriptions. Putting the contact lenses incorrectly may result in eye strain, headaches, or vision blur.
