experiencing higher rates of eye strain,”
Daley says.
Digital eye strain, also known as
computer vision syndrome, is linked
to exposure to high-energy visible or
blue light from video screens. Emerging
research suggests “cumulative and
constant exposure to blue light emitted
from back-lit displays can damage
retinal cells,” likely because of how
deep blue light penetrates the eye,
the report says.
Digital eye strain can be made worse
by spending more time looking at
screens or by viewing devices like cell
phones, computers or televisions too
close.
About 95 per cent of the respondents
who experience digital eye strain
reported using use digital devices for
two or more hours each day. And more
than 75 per cent of those people use
two or more devices at a time, the
report says.
“Most startling,” according to Daley,
“is that 90 per cent of adults don't
talk to their eye-care provider about
their digital device use, even though
there are ways to alleviate this strain
through computer eyewear and
adjusted work spaces.”
The Vision Council recommends
people talk to the eye care professionals
about their digital habits and the
options available to reduce strain.
“When using technology, many
people think suffering with digital eye
strain is unavoidable, but it doesn't
have to be,” Daley says. “The optical
industry has responded to the shift in
digital habits and has developed lens
technology to protect eyes from blue
light, glare and other environmental
stressors.”
Lenses are available, for example,
that can filter out blue light, which,
along with causing eye strain and fatigue, can impact a person's sleep.
There are also lens treatments and
filters available that can reduce glare
and reflection from digital screens
and block high-energy visible light.
Consumers can also purchase lenses
that offer better viewing areas for
computer distance.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists agrees that people should discuss
their digital viewing habits with their
eye doctor, so they can determine if
computer vision syndrome is causing
eye strain symptoms or “if ocular discomfort is the result of a more serious
vision or health problem.”
The CAO has listed several ways to
reduce the risk of digital eye strain.
They suggest: positioning computer
screens about an arm's length from
the eyes and 20 degrees below eye
level, matching the brightness of the
screen to match the surroundings,
minimizing screen glare by dimming
the lights in the room and using an
anti-glare screen if possible, using the
20-20-20 rule to give the eyes a break.
Every 20 minutes take a 20 second
break and focus your eyes on something
at least 20 feet away, and remembering
to blink while using a digital device.