Digital Screen Protection for the Eyes

The average worker in the United States spends about seven hours each day on the computer. With the stringent protocol to prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus, more and more people stay home. Viewing your digital screens for long periods, whether for online work or class, can lead to computer vision syndrome (CVS). Symptoms can range from dry or watery eyes, blurry vision to headaches. To avoid these, digital screen protection for your eyes would be essential. Here are some smart buys to shield your eyes from the dangers of blue light:

• Computer Glasses. These generally refer to prescription glasses that you can wear when working on a laptop or computer. Computer glasses let you focus on the screen. There are many options when choosing computer-specific glasses. Depending on your visual needs and work, you can opt for monofocal, bifocal, trifocal, or progressive addition lenses. Fortunately, you can now add a blue light-filtering feature to your prescription lenses. These computer glasses can block the intense blue light, eliminating the harsh glare that causes eyestrain.

• Protective Screen for Computers. There are now applications and night-mode settings on your computer to reduce the blue light emissions. But these often change the color of your screen. If you’d prefer a crystal-clear display, one alternative is purchasing medically rated protective screens for your laptop and computer monitor. These are screen filters that can block up to 90 percent of blue light.

• Protective Screen for Smartphones and Tablets. Many people like to stalk others on social media, play mobile games, and watch shows on Netflix. Our phones have become a way of life. They are a valuable possession not only for the price you paid to have one but especially for all sorts of sentiments and emotions attached to it. A screen protector won’t protect your phone from breaking. But it can add a layer against scratches and minor shocks. Interestingly, manufacturers now have designs that also filter blue light from your digital screen. A special tempered glass with 0.33-millimeter thickness and a nine-Mohs scale of hardness should work.

• Light Fixtures That Emit Less Blue Light. As you know, the sun emits natural blue light during the day. This keeps you alert and productive. But as the day ends, daylight carries less and less blue light. This signals your body to prepare for sleep. Since people now spend most of their waking hours indoors and under artificial light while using their digital devices, the risk of overexposure to blue light also increases. Fortunately, there are now lamps and other light fixtures that emit less blue light. Other manufacturers have even designed fluorescent light filters to keep your sleep from getting disrupted.

The level of eye discomfort seems to increase depending on how long and how often you use your gadgets. Due to the extra stress on your eyes, eye doctors recommend more frequent eye exams for those who use their digital devices for long periods daily. Schedule your consultation today with Centennial Family Eyecare. Call any of our clinics in North Durango or Skye Canyon, Las Vegas, Nevada, to make an appointment.