Are you protecting your eyes from unnecessary eye strain when using electronic devices? All those screens everywhere can quickly wear out your eyes!
We can’t avoid all the computers, smartphones and TVs in our lives, but we can protect our eyes from their harm. While no research has shown that screens can cause true damage to the eyes, you’re still at risk for painful headaches and eye soreness if you don’t take a few simple steps to keep your eyes happy.
Three Ways To Prevent Eye Strain When Staring At Screens:
1 – Remember To Blink
No, this is not a joke. People tend to blink less often when staring at electronic screens, which of course leads to dry eyes and eye pain. If you have to use screens frequently in your daily life, consider keeping some eye drops around to help your eyes stay hydrated.
2 – Take Frequent Breaks
To prevent unnecessary eye strain, you should ideally take a five minute break for every hour spent staring at a screen. For best results, close your eyes for that time so they can get a little rest. The break time should be doubled if you are using a 3D screen, as with some TVs or the Nintendo 3DS. These screens require your eyes to move their focus in and out as well as side-to-side, wearing out your eyes even faster.
3 – Use A Higher-Resolution Screen
If you’re using a smartphone or tablet from a few years ago, it may contribute to eye strain problems. Newer displays such as the Apple Retina or Samsung’s AMOLED, where the user cannot see the individual pixels (onscreen dots), are easier for your eyes to focus on.
Don’t Forget Yearly Eye Exams!
If you spend a lot of time staring at screens, it’s important to remember your yearly eye exam. Undiagnosed vision problems can quickly lead to extra eye strain and pain when working with electronic devices.
If it’s been more than a year since your last checkup, contact your Phoenix eye doctor for a vision test!
