Your Eyes Have Earned a Rest
Devices with screens are everywhere these days, but looking at them too long can be hard on your eyes. If your eyes feel tired and sore during (or after) screen use, you might be coping with digital eye strain (DES).
Anyone can experience DES, but it’s often most uncomfortable for people with uncorrected vision problems. Find out how our eye doctors can help you reduce digital eye strain by contacting us today.
Digital Eye Strain Symptoms
People suffering from DES often report experiencing one or more of these symptoms while using a screen or shortly thereafter:
- Head, neck, or shoulder pain
- Blurry vision or trouble focusing the eyes
- Dry eyes
Factors Behind Digital Eye Strain
Blinking Too Little
In most situations, people tend to blink about 12 times per minute, but while we are on the computer, that number drops to only 5. When you are not blinking enough, your eyes dry out, bringing irritation and eye fatigue.
The muscles that focus your eyes also get tired more easily when you spend long periods concentrating on objects close to your face—like phone or laptop screens.
Blue Light Exposure
Digital displays typically produce a type of high-energy visible light called blue light, which also occurs naturally in the sun’s rays. Science has not yet proven that blue light directly causes eye disease, but studies show it can affect your circadian rhythms—making it harder to sleep restfully. As a result, you might wake up with tired eyes if you regularly view screens before bed.
Preventing & Reducing DES
Want to make digital eye strain less of a pain in your eyes? Here are a few ideas:
- Give your eyes regular breaks during screen time by adopting the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, pick an object 20 feet away from you and focus your eyes on it for 20 seconds.
- Consider purchasing specialty glasses with lenses designed to bounce back blue light. Some research suggests that these “computer vision glasses” can help you sleep more restfully if you routinely use screens close to bedtime.
Do not let the threat of digital eye strain prevent you from using your devices. Simply contact our practice to learn more and find resources that can help.
Come See Us
We have plenty of convenient parking in the Southwood Corner shopping centre at the junction of Southland Drive & Elbow Drive.
Our Address
- 160-10233 Elbow Drive SW
- Calgary, Alberta T2W 1E8
Contact Us
- Phone: 587-355-7194
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
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Southwood Eyecare
- 160-10233 Elbow Drive SW
- Calgary, Alberta T2W 1E8
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P: 587-355-7194
[email protected]
