*Flashback Friday*

*This post originally appeared on The PediaBlog on August 27, 2020.

 

Virtual Eye Strain

 

 

One of the things that has made living through a global pandemic a little easier and more productive is being able to communicate with others — family, friends, colleagues — electronically. For those who are still able to work remotely, web conferencing apps are highly effective for the most part, though your mileage may vary depending on your technological abilities (remember, unmute your mic before speaking) and Internet connectivity and speed.

All of us, and especially our kids, rely on electronic media — computers, tablets, smartphones — to get our work done and stay entertained at a time when there is hardly anywhere to go. (Going outside for some exercise every day is safe but not much fun for a lot of people.)

Too much screen time can cause eye strain. Writing for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Daniel Porter explains why:

The reason we get digital eye strain is that we blink less when we stare at our devices. Normally, humans blink around 15 times per minute—but this “blink rate” can be cut in half when staring at screens or doing other near work activities (like reading).

 

These tips might help to reduce eye strain from using electronic devices:

• Take frequent breaks by using the “20-20-20” rule. Every 20 minutes look away from your screen and look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a chance to reset and replenish themselves.

• Use artificial tears to lubricate your eyes when they feel dry.

• Keep your distance. Sit about 25 inches or at arm’s length from your screen and adjust its height so you’re looking slightly downward at it.

• Reduce glare and brightness. Devices with glass screens can cause glare. To reduce glare, consider a matte screen filter for your device. Adjusting the brightness and contrast of your screen and dimming the lighting near your screen can also help reduce eye strain.

• Wear eyeglasses. If you wear contact lenses, you already know they can increase dryness and irritation. To reduce these symptoms, try wearing eyeglasses instead when working on a computer for longer periods.

 

We’ve seen before on The PediaBlog how the blue light emitted from electronic screens can interfere with sleep in teenagers by blocking the natural release of melatonin at night. Otherwise, Porter puts our minds at ease and discourages buying expensive glasses to block out the blue light:

• Blue light from computers will not lead to eye disease. It is true that overexposure to blue light and UV light rays from the sun can raise the risk of eye disease, but the small amount of blue light coming from computer screens has never been shown to cause any harm to our eyes.

• Sleep can be improved without special eyeglasses. You don’t need to spend extra money on blue light glasses to improve sleep— simply decrease evening screen time and set devices to night mode.

• Digital eye strain is not caused by blue light. The symptoms of digital eye strain are linked to how we use our digital devices, not the blue light coming out of them.

 

In children, excessive screen time is known to be a factor in the development of obesity and its associated complications. And Porter reminds us that myopia (nearsightedness) is on the rise everywhere as a result of spending too much time indoors staring at electronic screens:

The number of people with myopia in the U.S. and Asia has risen sharply since the 1970s. Research suggests a link to kids spending more time on their screens and more time indoors generally. The study provided evidence that more time spent on outdoor play and activities in early childhood can slow the progression of myopia.

 

August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Read all about it here and here on The PediaBlog from August 12, 2019.

 

(Google Images)

 

 

source http://www.thepediablog.com/2021/08/27/flashback-friday-169/