Eye strain is a condition characterized by symptoms like fatigue, soreness in or around the eyes, blurred or occasional double vision, dryness, and headaches. Eye strain can be caused by activities that involve visual tasks and focusing on a specific item from a short distance for a long time. So, reading a book and writing can lead to eye strain. The most common reason for it is the use of digital devices such as computer monitors, TVs, tablets, e-readers, smartphones, etc.
Technically, the use of the different screens is not necessarily harmful to your eyes in the sense that they do not injure your eyes directly or cause any eye diseases or conditions (such as long-sightedness, short-sightedness, etc.). However, those devices still have a negative impact on your eyes as they put a strain on them, making them work harder, focus more and thus with time they can cause problems. Digital eye strain is often overlooked, but when experienced too often it can be detrimental.
The adverse effects of the devices do not only originate from the short distance, focus, and angle of the glance but also from the blue-light emitted from them. Blue light is the one called High-energy visible light (or HEV light). Digital devices emit only a fraction from the amount of HEV light emitted from the sun for example, but the amount of time people spend staring at them, and the proximity to the user’s eyes raises concerns about the blue light long-term effects on the eye health. Too much exposure to blue light damages light-sensitive cells in the retina and increases the risk of macular degeneration.
Here are our tips for eye comfort and avoiding eye strain:
This applies to reading a book and using screens such as a monitor, TV, tablet, etc.
Rest your eyes periodically. Focus on an object 20+ feet (240 inches or 6 m) away. Read a book no longer than 20 minutes without looking up towards a distant object, letting it come into focus. Even when watching TV, you should look away at different objects and refocus your glance.
Every 20 minutes, shift your gaze to look at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
There are various types of protective eyewear you can choose from. Also, check with an eye care professional to see whether you need a specific kind of eyewear for reading and computer use, or in case you have an eye condition (like astigmatism for example or anything else). If you usually use contact lenses, it is advisable to use glasses for computer work, as with contacts, the eyes get dry and tired faster.
Some other tips: