Adapting to a Digital World
Digital devices have become a big part of our daily lives, with most activities involving the use of a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Although digital devices won’t permanently damage your vision, they are capable of making you feel some uncomfortable symptoms with prolonged use.
Digital eye strain can affect people of all ages, although the culprit may not always be the devices themselves. You may feel fatigued and uncomfortable after long periods spent sewing, reading, or performing other activities close to the face. Additionally, your posture, environment, and ocular health can cause stress on your eyes and muscles.
It is vital to stay aware of your habits and what you can do to make your daily activities easier on your body.
If you spend the majority of your day using digital devices, you may experience symptoms of digital eye strain. These include:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Neck and shoulder pain
Misalignment of the eyes, especially convergence insufficiency (eyes that require extra work to converge inwards with near work) is a common cause that can be relieved with special prescription lenses for your glasses called Neurolens.
The way you use your digital devices can significantly minimize any discomfort you may experience. Some of the most significant stressors on your vision and upper body muscles involve the environment your device is in and your posture while using them.
Poor lighting, glare, and sitting too close or too far away from your device can cause your eyes to work harder than they need to. Additional stress on your eyes can cause them to become fatigued more quickly, making concentration and productivity difficult.
