Your Computer Screen Damaging Your Eyes

Is Your Computer Screen Damaging Your Eyes?

 You must have heard old people saying that watching too much TV or playing games on TV will make your eyes go square. We all spend most of the time in front of screens: be it a computer screen, TV screen or mobile phone’s screen. But does it actually harm your eyes? 

As per Dr. Blakeney, an optometric adviser to the College of Optometrists, spending too much time in front of the screen does not permanently damage your eyes; however, it can cause strain or exacerbate the existing condition of your eyes. 

Those who spend more then 3 hours in front of computer screens are likely to have the following symptoms: 

•  Headache 
•  Itchy eyes 
•  Blurred vision 
•  Burning sensations 
•  Difficulty focusing (1, 2, 3) 
•  Changes in color perception 
•  Dry or watering eyes 
•  Eye discomfort 

To prevent your eyes from getting strained, you should make sure that the computer screen should not be higher than your eye level. 

Also using your computer in a right manner can help to prevent dry eye syndrome. This is a syndrome when your eyes get dried due to lack of tears. This is due to the blockage of the oil secreting glands in the eyes. However, this condition does not affect your vision. 

Ways to minimize damage to your eyes: 

The first thing you should be doing is to adjust the screen in a correct position in relation to your eyes (as mentioned above). Also it should be placed about 18-30 inches from you. 

The screen should also be tilted slightly back between 10 to 15 degrees in order to avoid the glare from the lights in the ceiling. 

You can also minimize your damage by blinking quite frequently. Usually people blink less while they watch TV. Blinking is very important as it washes your eyes in their natural therapeutic fluids. 

It is also to be noted that you should take a break from your screen when you are working for long hours. Break should be taken after 20 minutes. You can do it by keeping something to eat with you while you work so that you can look at your plate while you work. It is recommended to look at the object which is placed about 20 feet away from you for about 20 seconds when you take a break from your screen. 

Benefit: 

As per some studies, playing video games can be beneficial too. It improves your vision and gives you the chance to improve your contras sensitivity. Contrast sensitivity is important for the activities like driving in fog or at night in poor visibility. 

Conclusion: 

So we can conclude that looking at the computer screen may not cause permanent damage to your eyes; however, it can cause some irritation. It s advised to avoid staring at your screen for longer period of time.