If you’ve ever hiked to the top of a mountain or welcomed a brand new baby into the world, you know those sights can take your breath away. The optometrists at Evergreen Eye Center want to help you protect your vision so you can keep witnessing expansive views, love at first sight and everything in between.
March is Save Your Vision Month and this year, the American Optometric Association (AOA) is promoting digital eyestrain awareness and the importance of receiving regular eye exams.
According to the AOA, the average American spends seven hours a day using digital devices. Working professionals likely spend ten hours or more each day on computers and smartphones, especially when you consider non-working hours. Exposure to the blue light found in smartphones, tablets, or computers for prolonged periods of time can damage your vision and cause sleep problems.
Tips to protect your vision
Here are some tips to minimize eyestrain while at home, school or work:
- Try the 20-20-20 rule – To protect your eyes from the negative health effects of blue light, take a 20-second break every 20 minutes. Focus your eyes on something 20 feet away to give your vision a rest.
- Use proper lighting – When using a digital device, particularly computers, try to eliminate any exterior light by closing the drapes, lowering the lights, and positioning your screen so that it is neither directly in front of nor behind a window. This will help minimize glare and eyestrain.
- Blink often – It is important to keep your eyes lubricated while working on a computer or other digital device to help reduce dryness or irritation. This is especially important for those with contact lenses. Contact lens wearers are four times more likely to suffer from dry eyes after computer use, compared to non-wearers.
- Schedule regular eye exams – Schedule a yearly comprehensive eye exam and be sure to tell your doctor about your computer set up and how many hours you spend each day on electronic devices. He or she may recommend computer glasses, which are prescription eyewear specifically designed for computer work. They will optimize your eyesight when looking at digital screens and help reduce glare.
Evergreen Eye Center provides excellent care for all of your vision needs. Whatever eye problem you have, we combine the most advanced modern capabilities with an unsurpassed devotion to your best interests. Call us today to schedule an appointment at 888-317-6703.
