Let’s face it…we’re exposed constantly to our electronic devices. Phones, tablets, PCs, and TVs have taken over our lives and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. With the switch to technology has come a lot of conveniences, but it has also brought about a concern in protecting our eye health.
With constant use of electronics, we are exposing our eyes to harmful blue light that can increase eye strain and dry eye, just to name a few. Often times, we get so wrapped up in browsing social media, shopping online or playing games that we forget we are staring at our screens for so long. So, how do you combat today’s digital environment?
- Set aside a break time – every 20 to 30 minutes look away for 20-30 seconds. Look off at something far away and give your eyes a rest.
- Wear glasses that block out blue light – we talked about what blue light can do, investing in a good pair of blue light blocking glasses can help your eyes.
- Manage distance – How far are away from your face are your devices typically? The general preferred distance is 20-40 inches. A good rule of thumb is arms reach. For larger screens, move farther away.
As always, routine eye exams are critical for maintaining your eye health and allow us to track your digital eye strain. If you have questions about your mobile device usage, contact our team. We’re here to help!