Screen Time & Eye Strain: What You Can Do

As our world becomes increasingly digital, people are spending more and more time staring at screens. It's almost impossible to avoid the screens that surround us. From laptops to smartphones, TVs to tablets, we're constantly exposed to digital devices. As you may know all too well, staring for too long at a screen can cause eye strain.

Here, we will explore some of the most common symptoms of eye strain caused by excessive screen time, how you can help minimize eye strain from happening, and how you can better protect your eyes.

Main Causes of Eye Strain: Screens

Eye strain, also known as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome, is a condition that can occur when our eyes are exposed to screens for long periods of time. This can cause the muscles in the eyes to become fatigued, making your eyes feel tired and sore.

Symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision
• Dry eyes
• Headaches 
• Neck pain 
• Shoulder pain

Tips to Avoid Eye Strain

Use a blue light protection supplement. With advances in technology and screens, there have also been advancements in supplements to help filter blue light from screens to optimize visual performance. These supplements, like Quantum Health’s Digital Blue, can help give your eyes a version of their own internal blue light filter.

Turn down the brightness on your screens. High screen brightness can cause eye strain and even disrupt your sleep patterns. Adjusting the brightness to a comfortable level can make a big difference and save your eyes from strain over time.

Take breaks from screen time. It's important to rest your eyes and look away from the screen regularly. Experts recommend taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away. This will help your eyes relax and reduce the risk of eye strain. Use this time to stretch, walk around, or do something that doesn’t involve looking at a device with a screen.

Keep your distance from screens. Sitting too close to a screen can cause eye strain. Experts recommend sitting at least an arm’s length away from your screen, especially when using a device for a long period of time.

Wear blue light lenses. Blue light, which is emitted by screens, can disrupt sleep patterns and cause eye strain. Wearing blue light lenses can help filter out blue light and reduce eye strain.

While all sorts of screens have become an essential part of modern life, it’s important to take steps to help protect our eyes from the effects of prolonged screen exposure. Turning down screen brightness, taking breaks, keeping a distance, and wearing blue light lenses can all help reduce eye strain.

At Quantum Health, we’re here to help you support your eye health and enjoy your digital life to the fullest. Find our products in your favorite retailer today or buy online.