Eyestrain increasing among patients as screen time becomes more prevalent
By MICHAEL AUSTIN (Open Post) May 5, 2015 
Vienna, Va. (May 5, 2015) – We live in a digital world. Between office computers, smart phones and televisions, many of us are spending 8-12 hours in front of a screen each day. The increased time in front of screens can have a negative impact on your vision. Minimizing screen time is not always an option, which is why MyEyeDr., a full-service optometric vision care company, is sharing tips for keeping eyes healthy and preventing screen-time related issues as part of National Healthy Vision Month.

The top issue created by increasing screen time is eyestrain. This common condition impacts quality of life, causing eye rubbing, headaches and migraines. MyEyeDr. has seen an increase in patients experiencing eye strain. These tips help keep eyes healthy.

Adjust computer position
There are two screen positions that put users at a high risk for eyestrain: too close to the eyes and above the eyes. When monitors are placed above eye level, a muscle outside of the eye is used to facilitate reading. This unnatural activity causes strain in and around the eye. Placing the screen too close to the eye also causes strain. Eyes naturally need to come down and in versus around and up, so position your screens accordingly.

Adjust computer and workplace lighting
First, ensure your screen’s brightness and sharpness is maximized to best match your surroundings. Ideally your screen will not look too different from the environment around you. When lighting your workspace, natural light is the ideal option and traditional incandescent lightbulbs are kinder to eyes than fluorescent counterparts.

Look away from the computer screen
Treat your eyes like any other muscle in your body. While a two-pound weight is easy to hold at first, eventually your arm will become strained from holding it. The same goes for eyes looking at a screen. To give your eyes relief, use the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away or more for at least 20 seconds. This exercise forces muscles to relax and increases blinking.

Consider eyewear safety options
If you are a digital device power user, anti-reflective lenses help to minimize reflection, maximizing the amount of light that gets to your eyes and, ultimately, playing a role in preventing eyestrain.

The retina cannot focus on the blue light that all of our digital devices emit so consider blue-blocker glasses that minimize eyestrain and sleep issues by blocking blue light.

Prevent dry eye
Between screen time, air-conditioned and artificial lighting, dry eye is a major issue that can lead to redness, discomfort, increased risk of infection and more. Blinking is our body’s natural way of preventing dry eye so try blinking at the end of each line you read. Artificial tears and eating plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids also help to reduce dry eye. For those suffering from particularly problematic dry eye, there are numerous options and procedures available to treat dry eye that you should discuss with your optometrist.

“As use of digital devices continues to increase among people of all ages, it is critical that we do everything we can to protect our eyes,” said Dr. Frank Cassella, optometrist at MyEyeDr. “In addition to applying these five tips to our daily lives, it’s important to get an annual eye exam. MyEyeDr. can help identify issues earlier to ensure healthy eyes.”

Healthy Vision Month, which occurs every May, focuses on eye protection, preventing vision loss and education about eye diseases.

About MyEyeDr.

MyEyeDr. is a network of 110 local optometry practices in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and D.C. Each MyEyeDr. office offers comprehensive eye care services, a wide selection of designer and value prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses and standard and specialty prescription contact lenses. By accepting all vision insurance plans and providers, MyEyeDr. makes vision health attainable for all individuals. The full-service eye care management company is headquartered in Vienna, VA. For more information about MyEyeDr., visit www.myeyedr.com or follow us onFacebook and Twitter.