Beyond Blue Light: Tips on How to Protect Eyes from Computer Screen

How does the blue light from gadgets affect our eyes? This is an important concern as people spend hours in front of screens in the modern digital era. Therefore, it is essential to understand what measures one should take to protect eyes from computer screens.

Most people stare at a computer for hours at work and then play games or watch movies using their gadgets at home. It is no coincidence that computer vision syndrome (CVS) is called an occupational hazard of the 21st century. CVS is a particular term used for eye strain caused by the extensive use of computer devices. The statistics suggest 60 million individuals globally suffer from CVS, and one million new cases are recorded each year.

Not to aggravate the situation, one should think about maintaining good eye health. This article will reveal the causes of eye strain and show how to use modern technologies to positively impact eye wellness.

This condition also called asthenopia occurs when your eyes become sore and tired after reading, driving, or working on a computer for a long time. Understanding the primary causes of eye strain can suggest how to alleviate its symptoms.

The eyes are typically achy and irritated when you are focused on a particular task like crafting or reading for hours without taking a break. Moreover, digital devices are also associated with eye fatigue as users tend to blink less than needed.

The main symptoms of this condition are:

• Sore and tired eyes
• Blurred or double vision
• Dry or watery eyes
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Neck and backache

In addition, there are multiple factors increasing the risk of dry eye disease in computer users. Among them are reduced blinking, higher age, incomplete eye closure, and contact lens use.

A survey by the American Optometric Association showed this condition is typical for children with 80 percent experiencing itching and blurry vision after using a digital device.

Understanding the primary causes of eye strain from digital screens can explain why it occurs.

Extensive use of gadgets is typical for the digital era and has been raising concerns about the potential impact on users’ health and well-being. In addition to computers at work, people are engaging more with smartphones and tablets that put extra pressure on their eyes.

Prolonged exposure to devices is linked to disrupted sleep when blue light can make it difficult to fall asleep. Moreover, two or more hours of screen time before you go to bed may suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone regulating sleep.

Thus, it is crucial to understand how to protect your eyes from computer screens and establish a healthy balance between other activities and screen time. A number one solution is to have regular breaks and implement screen-free hours. Specifically, when it refers to children, parents should encourage offline hobbies and physical activity, as sitting in front of a monitor also affects poor posture.

Having a minor vision problem is among the major contributing factors to eyestrain. Thus, people wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses are also exposed to computer-related eyestrain and have to monitor their screen time.

When the monitor is set at the wrong place in relation to the users’ position, it should have a significant impact on the visual experience. In general, poorly located monitors cause headaches, dry burning eyes, and eye irritation.

Meanwhile, the viewing angle refers to the position of the users in relation to the display. It is below or above the horizontal line at the level of the eyes and the center of the screen. Therefore, it is crucial to adjust the workstation and computer for the eye level to protect eyes from the computer screen.

Of course, proper view distance depends on the type of display and resolution. The manufacturer-recommended viewing distance from standard TVs is six times the vertical screen size and three times for HD TVs.

When it comes to computers, generally speaking, the proper distance is 50-70 centimeters or about arm’s length. To achieve the best visual performance, one should place the display at around 15 degrees below the horizontal line. The researchers found that placing the monitor this way creates a preferable visual zone of 30 degrees.

High-resolution screens also appear to have a positive effect as there is no extra pressure, and the eyes do not work too hard to see the image.

The function of a blink is to lubricate and refresh eyes retaining healthy tear film stability on the eye's surface. When we blink less frequently, the tears evaporate, and dry eye symptoms are perpetuated.

The usual symptoms of reduced blinking rate are a burning sensation, redness, and itchiness. With the more use of computers every day, there is an obvious correlation between the blink rate and chronic dry eyes. It causes fatigue, discomfort, and inability to concentrate on the task. 

Eye protection from computer screens includes developing healthy eye habits. One of the recommendations is to practice the 20-20-20 rule – looking at an object for 20 seconds every 20 minutes at 20 feet.

To minimize the chances of dry eye the users should blink frequently and keep the eye moist. The spontaneous blink rate is between 12 and 15 minutes, while it decreases significantly when looking at the screen. Changes in the lighting also affect the blink pattern, so it is essential to care more about the ergonomic workplace.

To prevent and reduce eyestrain leading to vision problems, one should control the glare and lighting on the gadget screen. A glare is a reflection or excessive brightness that appears on a monitor placing extra demand on your vision.

The first step is to check the external light source, the presence of shadows, and bright artificial lights. Controlling ambient lighting, the use of blinds or shades, and the right position of a screen will solve the problem. Special computer screen protectors for eyes and lens tints minimize the harmful effect of blue light, while glare reduction filters and keeping screens clean also improve clarity.

The users must enhance the readability of the text and avoid insufficient contrast between text and background. You can alleviate eye strain by adjusting the brightness and screen contrast settings to optimal levels. This will create long-term effects in addition to regular breaks and proper viewing distance.

In a new digital age people working with laptops should prioritize eye health in the work environment as the risks caused by eye strain and other visual problems may have serious complications.

Treat an eye-friendly workspace as an investment in your productivity and long-term eye health. Small steps like positioning the display at a proper level or optimizing the lighting in the room will help you keep your eyes healthy and will protect eyes from computer screens.

When spending 8 to 10 hours at a computer screen, setting up a proper workstation is essential to maintain good posture and eye health. This includes choosing an appropriate chair and desk height, optimizing the position of a monitor at eye level, and fixing the right distance from the screen.

An ergonomic chair is made to provide sufficient support to the back muscles. The desk height should be set to allow for comfortable positioning while working. Adjustable chair with lumbar support together with keeping elbows and forearms in line with your desk reduces strain on the back. 

There is a simple tip for eye protection from computer screens. To measure the right distance, just hold your arms in front, trying to touch the screen. If you can’t, bring the screen a little closer to touch it with your arms relaxed. This prevents you from leaning toward the monitor and avoiding additional pressure on the lower back.

The comfortable and eye-friendly workspace requires optimization of lighting and avoiding glare. Sunlight may create unnecessary glare on the screen which leads to eye strain. Positioning the monitor away from windows and using necessary equipment will minimize the risk. If you use a task light or desk lamp, make sure it will not cause harsh shadows or excessive brightness. Adjustable screen settings will help to make the blue light neither too dim nor too bright to alleviate eye fatigue.

A recent study reveals that screen brightness is tied to visual fatigue in the low-environment lighting scene. This means at night low screen brightness will potentially cause more serious eye strain.

You have probably heard about glasses to protect eyes from computer screens but, unfortunately, a pair of those would hardly improve the situation with eye strain. The study shows blocking glasses do not improve CVS symptoms, and you have to think of other ways to tackle the problem.

One can maintain eye health by incorporating some habits into daily routines without damaging the workflow. This includes taking regular breaks from the monitor, engaging in blinking exercises, keeping eye hygiene, and scheduling regular eye exams to monitor the condition.

Let’s examine the primary techniques necessary for eye strain prevention.

A simple but effective exercise that one can use at home and in the office to prevent eye fatigue. The main purpose is to give the eyes needed rest. Every 20 minutes a person should look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Together with blinking this exercise will force the eyes to focus on something other than the computer screen.

Blinking cleans the eyes and washes out any debris with fresh tears produced by squeezing glands in the eyes. Therefore, it is important to blink at a normal rate, especially when you are affected by blue light.

Since it is sometimes difficult for computer users to remember that they have to blink more often, there are modern software solutions that would be a great reminder and tool to monitor eye protection. One of them is BLiiNK, an application reminding about the need to blink and calculate the rate to achieve the recommended level of 12-15 per minute. The app allows you to adjust the duration of a single check and the number of times it checks the blinking rate per hour. Moreover, it sends notifications that disappear from the screen when you do the task.

People usually speak about limiting screen time when it refers to children’s health. However, after spending 8 hours or more in front of a computer at work the adults are also interacting with technology at home, and some are sometimes even addicted to gadgets. Thus, we have to use screen time management techniques to maintain a healthy balance between our well-being and technology.

First, it’s essential to set limits for screen time and avoid using a screen before going to bed. Setting a time or determining a specific time for using devices is one of the remedies.

Another option is to establish tech-free zones like a bedroom and bathroom where you cannot take a phone no matter what. Removing unnecessary applications will also help in screen time management. If you use some apps for work only, you can simply remove them from smartphones and other gadgets as this would not tempt you into mindless usage during the weekend.

A routine checkup is key to managing eye strain effectively. Chronic dry eyes, extended exposure to screens, and eye muscle issues are risk factors for dry eye. However, there are also some underlying conditions that contribute to eye strain. For example, regular exams can identify astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.

Even if you seem not to have particular symptoms, it’s better to take an eye exam regularly as they may detect such conditions as glaucoma, which could lead to sight loss.

With the increased use of computers and tablets among children, it’s necessary to make more efforts to monitor their eye health. If an exam reveals refractive errors at an early stage, it would be possible to avoid complications.

In addition, by taking a routine exam an eye doctor may detect other medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and refer a patient to the relevant specialist.

Do not overlook eye hygiene, as improper care may cause irritation, contamination, and infection. Always wash your hands before applying eye drops or touching your eyes to reduce the risk of infections. Avoid rubbing your eyes, especially if you have allergies to dust, mold, or pet dander. Scratching and rubbing will cause irritation, and it’s better to use a clean tissue or eye wash to overcome discomfort.

Removing makeup before going to bed is also a part of proper hygiene, as cleaning eyelids and lashes will prevent dryness and irritation. Another rule is not to share someone’s mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadows to reduce the risk of conjunctivitis.

Those wearing glasses or contact lenses should be especially careful with hygiene practices. It is important to keep to the schedule for wearing and replacing the lenses as prescribed by the doctor. Clean and disinfect the lenses with recommended cleaning solutions.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is crucial for overall eye health. The researchers link adding antioxidants and minerals to your diet to minimizing the risk of serious diseases.

Among those vitamins and minerals are:

• Lutein and zeaxanthin (peas, broccoli, corn, persimmons, and tangerines)
• Vitamin C (green peppers, oranges, strawberries, tomatoes)
• Vitamin E (nuts, vegetable oils)
•  Zink (red meat, nuts)
• Omega-3 (fish)

Staying hydrated and getting sufficient sleep is also a key factor in minimizing the risks of eye diseases. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance during a regular checkup.

Finally, quit smoking as it is a great threat to eyesight and might prevent dangerous conditions, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AGD). According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smokers are twice as likely to suffer from AGD compared to non-smokers.

Eye protection from computer screens is a complex set of tools and healthy practices. This includes managing screen time, maintaining ergonomics, and optimizing lighting as well as keeping a balanced diet and taking regular eye exams.  

Finally, if there is no chance to spend less time in front of a computer because of a heavy workload, just use simple steps. Take regular breaks, and blink more often with the use of modern software likeBLiiNK to calculate the blinking rate and prevent dry eyes. Use the benefits of application to prevent eye health deterioration in the long run.