Digital Eye Strain whilst working from home

It seems working from home has become the new norm for majority of people, so Core Optique thought it was a good idea to touch on digital eye strain, and what you can do to relieve your eyes whilst working from home.

WHAT IS DIGITAL EYE STRAIN?

Eye strain is the physical discomfort felt after two or more (bet let’s be honest more like 8) hours in front of a digital screen and is associated with staring at a close to mid-range fixed distance, like computers, iPad’s and your phone.

WHAT CAUSES DIGITAL EYE STRAIN?

On average, people of working age in Australia now spend over 6 hours a day staring at screens, and in most cases with COVID-19 this average is blowing way out due to new working from home measures, causing our eyes to look at a fixed distances for long periods of time putting immense strain on your eye muscles. Spending significant amounts of time staring at screens also causes our blink rates to reduce, resulting in eye irritation, this could be why your eyes are feeling dry at times.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIGITAL EYE STRAIN?

Optometry studies have shown that up to 90% of computer users (and other screens) suffer visual symptoms, these include the below:

  • Dry eyes: A deficiency of tears. The main symptom is usually a scratchy or sandy feeling as if something is in the eye.

  • Tired eyes: When eyes feel achy, weak, or heavy due to intense use

  • Headaches: A continuous pain in the head.

  • Eye irritation (itchy and burning): Mild eye redness, itching, or tearing.

  • Blurred vision: Refers to a lack of sharpness of vision resulting in the inability to see fine detail.

HOW DO YOU REDUCE AND PREVENT DIGITAL EYE STRAIN?

  • Keep your distance. Position your device so there is sufficient distance between your eyes and the screen.

  • Reduce glare

  • Clean your screen

  • Dim surrounding lights

  • Adjust your screen

  • Increase text size

  • Wear computer glasses

  • Blink more often

  • Take regular breaks and stare at an object further into the distance

OUR NEW RANGE OF LENSES DEDICATED FOR WORKING ON DIGITAL DEVICES

Core Optiques lens laboratory have extensive ranges of lenses and lens coatings designed specifically for office workers. This includes our ‘blue zero’ coating which helps reduce the harmful blue-light (HEV) emitted by electronic devices. This can increase visual comfort for our patients and reduce the impact of eye strain symptoms.

To discuss digital eye strain, book your bulk billed eye examination at Core Optique.

Luke DavidsonCORE OPTIQUE