Mcdonald Optical
Screentime Shouldn't Cost You Your Eyesight
Computer Eyestrain Exams from Professional Iowa City Optometrists
Doctor’s Note: If you think you’re suffering from computer eyestrain, try to schedule an eye exam with your local optometrist—like some of our top-notch ones right here at McDonald Optical in Iowa City—to see if there are any underlying causes of your symptoms other than exposure to screens.
What Is Computer Eyestrain?
The modern screen is a much more complex and taxing field for the eyes than the paper and ink our ancestors were incredibly familiar with.
Screens are often less defined, the contrast is heightened, and glare and reflections, plus more, can all add up to a very demanding job for the eyes to perform day-in and day-out. This goes especially so for those many people who work jobs that require them to be in front of a screen during most of the workday.
The resulting stress and strain can cause vision problems or aggravate existing conditions that were present beforehand. Cumulative screen-induced vision conditions are known collectively as computer vision syndrome (CVS).
Computer Eyestrain Causes
Improper posture/distance in relation to the screen.
Lack of breaks.
Blue light.
Poor lighting.
Computer Eyestrain Symptoms
Headaches.
Blurred vision.
Dry eyes.
Neck and shoulder pain.
Computer Eyestrain Treatments
One of the most prominent and efficient ways to reduce eyestrain is eyeglasses. Nowadays, many eyeglasses are made to filter out blue light, the invisible but powerful wavelength given off by screens such as computers, phones, and even some T.V.s. Here at McDonald Optical, our eyeglasses store is one of the best in the Iowa City area. We’re always more than happy to help new or current customers find the eyewear and eyecare that suits their needs best.
Other home remedies include:
Adjusting the lighting when doing work helps keep the level even, so your eyes are not entirely focused on the light coming from your computer or screen.
Take routine breaks every hour or so, for ten minutes at a time, to give your eyes a chance to rest.
Limit screen time. This may not be entirely possible for most, but if there are options to perform certain tasks on paper or even over the phone, seeking out more alternatives to screen time could help reduce eyestrain.
Adjust your screen settings. Some computers and phones come with display options that allow you to moderate the “warmth”—meaning the level/quality of blue light—that your screen projects. Check your device’s display settings to see if this is an option for you.
Take specific eye breaks. Use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Contact McDonald Optical at (319)-359-3307 or Book Online Here.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrists to Get Computer Vision Relief Today!
