There’s no escaping your digital devices in today’s society, but do you know how extended use can impact your health? As entertaining and vital as our digital screens are, it’s important to acknowledge the amount of time each day you spend using your technology and when to take breaks. If you’re one of the many people that experiences pain and discomfort in your eyes and body after spending a long time on digital devices, you are experiencing digital eye strain.

What is Digital Eye Strain?

Digital eye strain is a temporary discomfort or pain caused by using and looking at digital devices for an extended period. Symptoms of this strain can follow after even just one to two hours, and with many spending eight or more hours a day staring at digital screens, this can be a continual problem. Some devices that contribute to digital eye strain include desktop or laptop computers, smartphones, televisions, tablets, gaming screens, and more.

The discomfort and pain associated with digital eye strain occur due to a combination of factors. One reason is that screens often have a small print or pixilated imagery that can be tough to focus on, causing eye strain. Also, blue light, or high-energy visible light, emitted from digital devices, can be harmful to the eyes, especially after repeated exposure from bright screens.

Some symptoms of digital eye strain include: 

• Irritated, dry, tired, or red eyes
• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Back, neck, or shoulder pain

Tips To Prevent Digital Eye Strain

Luckily, there are tips you can utilize to help minimize the impact digital devices have on your eyes. These methods include:

• Keep your distance – Position your digital device, so there is enough space between your eyes and the screen. 
• Adjust screen brightness – Using the device’s control settings, lower your brightness when necessary. Try also making your background a more muted color rather than bright white. 
• Dim your surrounding lights – Reduce the amount of light from the areas around your device, so your eyes don’t have to compete. When outside, avoid direct sunlight to reduce glare. 
• Increase the text size – Make the text on your screens larger so it’s more comfortable and easy to read for your eyes.
• Wear computer glasses – Increasing in popularity, computer glasses are worn to block blue light and decrease eye strain during continual digital device use. They look like regular glasses, but the lens is different and not for those who need help seeing closer.

Contact Us Today to Learn More About Our Custom Digital Screen Solutions!

As the global leader in optical bonding, Apollo Display Technologies supports you in all project phases – from the construction of the metal housing and procurement of specific parts to in-house development of controller boards and touchscreen integration. In need of a product, part, or have a project in mind? Contact us today at (631) 580-4360 or click here for more information.

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