More people are using screens as part of their work and leisure time than ever. Whether it’s a cell phone, laptop, or TV, Americans spend an average of more than seven hours a day in front of screens. The growth of remote work in a post-pandemic world has also contributed to a rise in screen time with remote workers spending up to 13 hours a day looking at their computer screen.
With so many screens in front of us, it’s no wonder eye fatigue is on the rise. Symptoms can include headaches, neck pain, and dry or watery eyes among other issues. Yet, there are ways to help, including glasses to help with computer eye strain and other small adjustments. Let’s look at how you can determine whether you’re experiencing eye strain and some ways to help decrease your discomfort.
What is Eye Fatigue?
Eye fatigue, also called eye strain, is a fairly common issue that occurs when your eyes are overused. There are several ways to experience overuse, including spending a lot of time in front of a screen or driving long distances with minimal breaks. Essentially, any activity that requires you to use your eyes for a long period can make your eyes tired. Some of these activities include:
- Reading
- Experiencing bright light or glare
- Being exposed to moving air
- Being exposed to dry air
- Experiencing dim light
- Driving
- Looking at a screen
Keep in mind these activities are not harmful to your eyes on their own, but it’s the long exposure that poses an issue. If you know you will be engaging in such activities for prolonged periods, it’s good to consider finding glasses to help with computer eye strain or exposure to harsh light or air.
Causes and Symptoms
One of the most common causes of eye fatigue is tech overuse. Looking at digital devices for multiple hours a day several days a week can wear on your eyes. LED screens tend to have a lot of glare and harsh contrasts between text and their background. People also tend to use devices at too close a range and blink less often when staring at screens. All of these factors contribute to eye strain.
Eye fatigue can manifest in a few symptoms including watery or dry eyes and headaches, but there are a few other things to watch for including:
- Double vision
- Blurry vision
- Sore back, shoulders, or neck
- Itchy eyes
- Trouble concentrating
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty keeping your eyes open
If you’re experiencing one or more of these issues regularly, it’s time to talk to your optometrist about whether you need glasses to help with computer eye strain or other eye fatigue issues.
How to Prevent Tired Eyes
You can do a few things to help prevent or at least decrease the chances of developing eye strain. Start by adjusting the lighting in the room, ensuring it’s not too harsh or too dim. Close your blinds or set up a lamp nearby to help your eyes not work as hard while you’re reading or working. Next, reduce glare from your devices. When purchasing a new phone or laptop, opt for an anti-glare screen or put anti-reflective covers on screens you already own. These little changes give your eyes a much-needed break.
The best way to reduce eye fatigue is to take breaks from screens. Try stepping away from screens every 30 minutes to an hour to give your eyes a rest. If you’re not able to take breaks as frequently as you like, you can get blue light glasses to help with computer eye strain. The blue light that emits from LED screens can contribute to eye strain and disrupt your circadian rhythm making it difficult to sleep. Some of the benefits of blue light glasses are that they are intended to block this blue light to help you reduce eye fatigue and sleep better.
Find Stylish Blue Light Protection with Privado
If you’re looking for quality, affordable blue light glasses to help with computer eye strain, Privado Eyewear has what you need. These aren’t your grandmother’s reading glasses: our designer blue light glasses are made to elevate your look. Plus, they block the sun’s UVA and UVB rays with the same UV400 protection we offer in our collection of stylish sunglasses.
Each pair of Privado glasses is so durable and affordable that you can get a few pairs to always have on hand. Have one stashed in your bag, another in your office, and one on your nightstand to help combat any nighttime vision strain. Shop for blue light glasses or sunglasses online to find the right pair to help protect your eyes and upgrade your style today.
