Your Time in Front of Screens Affects Your Vision and Eye Health

Computers, smart phones, TVs, tablets -- all of these gadgets and more have become central to everyday life. Much of how life is lived now would be nearly impossible without the help of something with a lit screen, and unfortunately, that's having an effect on people's vision and eye health. Just looking at a screen won't do much, but spending a lot of time looking into screens can leave an impression. If you need to spend a lot of time looking at a screen, see an optometrist at Sites Vision Clinic in Clarksville. 

Blue Light Exposure

Screens emit a larger amount of blue light wavelengths than you'd normally get from something like a lamp with an incandescent bulb. Blue light is totally normal, but it tends to reduce the amount of melatonin you have, which wakes you up -- in fact, blue light is what those special lights for treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder use -- and basically disrupts your sleep cycle. The consequences of that can be increased disease risks and potential premature aging of your eyes.

Computer Vision

Also called digital eye strain, computer vision is a syndrome that includes symptoms such as blurry vision, pain, dry eye, trouble focusing, and itching. The symptoms can extend to your head and neck, causing aches and contributing to poor posture. You can mitigate the effects of excessive screen time to an extent with computer glasses, which are special prescription glasses meant for use with screens. However, you also need to be proactive during your screen use and look up frequently, both at near- and far-distance objects.

Screens May Be Necessary, but Eye Problems Aren't. Contact Sites Vision Clinic Today!

Part of keeping your eyes healthy when you have to use screens a lot is ensuring you have good eye care. Contact Sites Vision Clinic in Clarksville at 931-614-0028 for an optometry appointment.