Your Eyes Deserve Comfort

Your daily routine probably involves using digital devices with screens of some kind. But did you know too much screen time can make your eyes feel painful and exhausted?

If you experience eye fatigue or discomfort during or after screen use, you could be suffering from digital eye strain (DES). DES can affect anyone, but its symptoms are often most severe for people who have vision problems.

Daniel & Davis Optometry can provide tools and advice to help you take your life back from DES. Please contact us today to learn more about your options.

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How Does Digital Eye Strain Happen?

How can staring at screens for too long make your eyes sore or tired? Here are a few contributing factors:

Not Blinking Enough

When you focus intently on a TV, computer, or phone screen, you likely blink less than usual. The less you blink, the drier your eyes become, making them tired and uncomfortable. Positioning screens too close to your face can also force your focusing muscles to work harder, exhausting them faster than usual.

Too Much Blue Light

Nearly every digital display produces a high-energy visible light called blue light, which also occurs naturally in the sun’s rays. Blue light isn’t directly linked to eye disease, but it can change your circadian rhythms and impact the way you sleep. If you often use screens before bed, these changes to your circadian rhythms can prevent you from getting a restful sleep, resulting in tired eyes the next day.

What Does Digital Eye Strain Feel Like?

DES frequently presents these symptoms (either during screen time or afterwards):

Head, shoulder, or neck pain
Blurry vision
Dry eyes

How to Fight Digital Eye Strain

You may want to consider the following approaches to reducing DES symptoms:

Take regular breaks to relax your eyes during screen time by following the 20-20-20 rule: take a break every 20 minutes and focus for 20 seconds on an object 20 feet away.
Purchase glasses with lenses designed to reflect blue light. These “computer glasses” may improve your sleep after using screens before bedtime.

You don’t have to give up your devices to reduce the effects of DES. Please contact us today to learn more about enjoying screen time in comfort again.

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Our Location in Carlsbad

Where to Find Us?

Our practice is located on El Camino Real, just between the Carlsbad Village Drive stop for the number 309 bus and the Bayshire Carlsbad assisted living facility.