In this modern, hyper-connected world, screens have become
an unavoidable part of daily life. From scrolling through social media feeds to
working on spreadsheets, your eyes are likely under constant assault from
digital devices. But have you ever wondered about the long-term impacts of this
relentless screen time on your eyes?
Beyond the occasional headache or blurred vision, the
effects are far more pervasive and can have serious implications for your vision.
Read on to discover three little-known effects of long-term digital eye strain
and prolonged screen use.
1. Increased
Risk of Nearsightedness
Digital eye strain can significantly contribute to the
development of nearsightedness, also known as myopia. With this condition, you
can see close objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry.
When you constantly focus on screens at close range, your
eye muscles contract to adjust the eye's lens. Over time, this continuous
contraction can make the muscles 'overwork,' causing the eyeball to elongate.
This makes it difficult to focus on distant objects since the light now focuses
in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
Imagine the eye as a camera. The more you use the zoom
function—equivalent to looking at objects up close like screens—the more strain
is put on the lens. If the zoom function is overused, it can lead to issues
with focusing on objects at a distance, just like in nearsightedness.
The condition can harm your eyesight and require corrective
lenses or surgery. The lenses are specially designed to provide a clear image
of both near and distant objects to ensure your eyes are properly focused on
both. Surgery might not be necessary in most cases, as nearsightedness can be
managed with vision therapy.
2. Dry Eye
Syndrome
Also known as dry eye disease, this condition makes your
eyes unable to produce enough tears to keep them lubricated. Screen displays
cause the eyes to blink less frequently as you focus intently on the images.
This reduces tear production and makes your eyes more prone to dryness.
Contact lenses, certain medications, or aging can also
cause dry eye syndrome. However, digital devices have been identified as a
major contributor to this condition in young adults.
Without tears, your eyes cannot adequately remove foreign
particles or bacteria that might cause infection. Over time, dry eye syndrome
can lead to other issues such as blurred vision, light sensitivity, and
inflammation.
To treat the condition, your eye doctor might recommend
possible treatments such as lubricating drops or an omega-3 supplement. The
lubricating drops can help reduce irritation and keep your eyes moist, while
the omega-3 supplement helps maintain healthy tear production, which prevents future
dryness.
3. Eye Fatigue
Eye fatigue, also known as asthenopia, is another common
consequence of prolonged digital screen use. When you spend hours staring at
digital devices, you engage in intense, close-up work that requires your eyes
to focus and refocus constantly. Just like any muscle in your body, your eye
muscles can get tired if you overuse them, leading to feelings of fatigue,
discomfort, and even decreased productivity.
The effect is further exacerbated by the high visual
demands of screen viewing. Screens often have a glare or reflection, and the
text, images, and videos constantly shift. This requires your eyes to adjust
quickly.
Additionally, the contrast and brightness of digital
screens are different from that of regular printed materials, which can impose
extra strain on your eyes. With time, these factors force your eye muscles to
work overtime, triggering eye fatigue.
Symptoms may include tired, itching, or burning eyes. You
might also get frequent headaches, blurred or double vision, and sensitivity to
light. These symptoms clearly indicate that your eyes need a rest from
excessive screen exposure.
Don't ignore the signs of digital eye strain any longer.
Give us a call at Calvert
Ophthalmology Center to schedule an appointment and get the care you
need.
