5 Effective ways to take care of your eyes in Digital Era

Excess screen time, especially in this world full of digital content where most of our time is spent in front of the screens, whether it may be the daily usage of phones and laptops for work or binge watching web series on ott platforms, can be hard on your eyes. Our eye specialists in Vadodara at Aadicura Superspeciality Hospital, stress the need to address any eye or vision related issues by regularly consulting an eye doctor.

Excess screen time can have several ill effects on your eyes, including:

1. Eye strain: Staring at screens for long periods of time can cause your eyes to become tired and strained. This can lead to symptoms like headache, blurred vision, dry eyes, and fatigue.
2. Dry eyes: When we stare at screens, we tend to blink less than we should. This can result in our eyes becoming very dry and irritated. Dry eyes can be uncomfortable and can lead to more serious eye problems if left untreated.
3. Blue light exposure: Many screens, including smartphones, laptops, and TVs, emit blue light. Exposure to blue light can be harmful to your eyes, leading to symptoms like digital eye strain, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
4. Poor sleep: Excessive screen time can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder for you to fall asleep at night. This can lead to a range of health problems, including difficulty concentrating, mood disorders, and weight gain.
5. Developmental problems in children: Excessive screen time has been linked to developmental problems in children, including poor social skills and decreased attention span. It’s important for parents to monitor and limit their children’s screen time to prevent these problems.

Overall, it’s important to take care of your eyes and limit your screen time to prevent these and other negative effects.

How do you save your eyes in the digital age?

While excessive use of computers and other screens can lead to eye strain and other negative effects, the amount of blue light emitted by screens is not significant enough to cause permanent damage to your eyesight. However, If you are facing persistent straining or watering of eyes, it is important to consult the best ophthalmologist in Vadodara to avoid discomfort.

1. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, it is important to take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This is very effective in reducing eye strain and fatigue of the eyes.
2. Blink often: when we stare at screens, we tend to blink less than we should. Due to this, it can cause the eyes to become dry and irritated. Make a conscious effort to blink frequently when using screens.
3. Adjust your screen’s brightness and contrast: your screen should be at a level of brightness and contrast that is comfortable for your eyes. If your screen is too bright or too dark, it can cause eye strain.
4. Use artificial tears: if your eyes feel dry, you can use artificial tears to help lubricate your eyes and reduce dryness and discomfort.
5. Take frequent breaks: it’s important to give your eyes a break from screens, especially if you’re using them for long periods of time. Every hour or so, take a few minutes to look away from your screen and do something else.

What is the importance of eye care while using the phone? 

Eye care on phones is important because phones emit blue light, which can be harmful to your eyes. Blue light has been linked to symptoms like digital eye strain, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. By taking care of your eyes when using your phone, you can reduce these symptoms and protect your eyes from the harmful effects of blue light.

Do phones damage your eyesight?

Excessive use of phones can potentially damage your eyesight, although the evidence is mixed. One of the main concerns is blue light exposure from screens. Blue light has been linked to symptoms like digital eye strain, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.

However, the amount of blue light emitted by phones is not significant enough to cause permanent damage to your eyesight. Many studies have stated that there is no evidence that blue light from screens can cause long-term vision problems.

That being said, excessive use of phones can lead to eye strain, which can cause temporary vision problems. To reduce the risk of eye strain and other negative effects, it’s important to take care of your eyes when using your phone. 

How do you take care of your eyes at screen time?

By following these tips, you can help maintain good eye health and protect your eyes from potential problems.

You can follow these tips for maintaining good eye health:

1. Get regular eye exams: it’s important to have your eyes checked by an expert eye doctor at least once a year. This can help catch any potential problems early and ensure that your eyes are healthy.
2. Eat a healthy diet: a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can help promote good eye health.
3. Wear sunglasses: ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can be harmful to your eyes. Wear sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV rays to protect your eyes.
4. Quit smoking: smoking can increase your risk of developing eye diseases, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. If you smoke, quitting can help protect your eyes.
5. Take frequent breaks: if you work at a computer or spend a lot of time looking at screens, take frequent breaks to give your eyes a rest. This helps in reducing eye strain and fatigue.