From work-life to everyday life, humans spend a lot of time on digital screens. The average person in the United States spends approximately 10 hours and 39 minutes each day. This includes our daily use of smartphones, computers, video games, radios, tablets, and TVs.
While all of these devices are a part of your patient’s daily routine, It’s important to note that a great deal of time spent on these screens can lead to poor vision.
Effects of Screen Time
Eye discomfort and vision problems are common amongst those who spend a lot of time in front of a screen. Potential effects of screen time include eye fatigue, dry and irritated eyes, and retinal damage. Retinal damage can be caused by the blue light released from digital devices. Blue light can have a serious effect on vision because it penetrates all the way to the retina and can cause damage to light-sensitive cells. The significant amounts of blue light that are found in digital devices can also contribute to digital eye strain.
Computer Vision Syndrome also referred to as digital eye strain, describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer, tablet, e-reader, and cell phone use. When long periods of time are spent in front of a screen, the movement of the screen causes the eyes to work harder by constantly focusing and refocusing, thus resulting in discomfort.
Assisting Your Patients:
Luckily, you don’t have to advise your patients to stay away from digital technology forever. But instead, you can encourage them to:
- Reduce lighting to eliminate screen glares
- Stay at arm’s length away from the screen for proper viewing distance
- Increasing the text size on their devices to keep from staring their eyes
Reminding your patients about the importance of proactive eye care can allow them the chance to avoid suffering from symptoms of Digital Eye Strain. The American Optometric Association estimates that 50% – 90% of computer users suffer symptoms of Digital Eye Strain. At Allentown Optical, we know how important it is for your patients to stay healthy. That is why we offer products that can take care of any optical needs your patients may have, such as BlueTech lenses. These lenses provide comprehensive protection against harmful blue light; they offer clarity, improve sleep, and they also render visual precision to your patient’s eyes. It is our passion for healthcare that drives us to provide you with the best possible services and products we have to offer. Click here to discover the wide variety of optical products that we offer to our valuable clients.