What You Need to Know about Computer Vision Syndrome

Scrolling through laptop, smartphone, or tablet screens for hours at a time is a regular part of our lives in the 21st century. Unfortunately, with increased screen time comes eye problems associated with our use of digital devices. Even if you’ve never had eye problems before, you may have noticed your vision is becoming blurry or you’re experiencing more frequent headaches than before after two or more hours of screen time. These conditions are known collectively as computer vision syndrome, which results from prolonged computer use.

According to studies, as much as 60% of people spend at least six hours a day in front of a digital device. All of these gadgets emit blue light, which is a leading cause of computer vision syndrome, sleep disruptions, and other potential vision issues. If you think you’re suffering from this problem, you can always contact Eyes On Norbeck for professional help.

Potential Dangers of Blue Light

Blue light is naturally occuring in the world around us; in fact, it is emitted by a lot of other objects, like TV screens, LED lights, and even the sun. Much like UV light, blue light can cause dangers to our health, particularly our eyes. Some of these include:

• Eye Strain – Blue light emits a less consistent light flow, creating a glare or flickering that can cause eye strain. And since changes in visual contrast and sharpness are inevitable, the eyes have to work harder to see clearly. This can result in a number of issues, such as blurry vision, dry eyes, headaches, and mental fatigue.
• Sleep Disruptions – While natural blue light helps regulate our bodies’ circadian rhythm, which controls our sleep cycles, prolonged exposure to artificial sources of blue light has shown to negate its positive effects. This may cause disruptions to sleep, lowering our sleep quality over time.
• Macular Degeneration – Spending extended periods in front of a digital device can cause damage to the retina, which may lead to age-related macular degeneration. This is the leading cause of vision loss and low vision among Americans.

Protect Your Eyes from Blue Light

Here at Eyes On Norbeck, we understand the need to protect your eyes from blue light, which is why we offer several eyewear options to help you do so. We can offer you computer glasses with blue-blocking lenses and coatings to keep your eyes protected, even if you have to work on a computer for long periods each day. You can also choose to apply anti-glare coatings to your regular glasses for an added layer of protection. Whatever your case is, our specialists will be able to find the perfect match for your needs.

Schedule an Appointment With Us

With a combination of proper optometry care and self-care, you can lower your risks of developing computer vision syndrome and other vision problems. Contact Eyes On Norbeck at (301) 238-7199 or complete our form for an appointment today.