Nowadays, a significant part of both business and daily life is spent in front of the screen. Intensive screen use can cause eye fatigue, headaches, dryness and blurred vision.
How Does Screen Use Affect Eye Health?
- Eye Dryness: The number of blinks on the screen decreases to 5-7 per minute, the eye surface becomes dry.
- Digital Eye Fatigue: Focusing on close range for a long time creates fatigue in the eye muscles.
- Blue Light Effect: Can disrupt sleep patterns and create extra strain on the eyes
- Myopia Progression: Intensive screen use, especially in children, can accelerate the development of myopia.
Ways to Protect Eye Health While Using Screens
- 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
- Screen distance: The computer should be 50-60 cm away, the top edge should be at eye level
- Remember to blink: Consciously blink frequently
- Balance ambient light: Avoid using bright screen in dark environment
- Use a blue light filter: Activate night mode on your phone and computer
- Moisturize the eye surface: Artificial tear drops are especially useful in air-conditioned environments
- Take regular breaks: 3-5 minute break every hour
Eye Health Tips for Children
More than 2 hours of screen time per day is not recommended. A break should be taken every 20 minutes. Spending time outdoors after screen time is very beneficial for eye development. Regular eye examinations in children are critical to detect myopia progression early.
When to Consult a Doctor?
- constant headache
- Prolonged blurred vision
- extreme dryness of eyes
- Double vision when reading or looking at a screen
- Stinging and burning in the eyes
- Eyes get tired easily
Frequently Asked Questions
Does using a phone harm the eyes?
Intensive and long-term use can lead to eye dryness, fatigue and progression of myopia in children. Adopting correct usage habits reduces these risks.
Is using a phone in the dark harmful to the eyes?
Yes. Looking at a bright screen in a dark environment creates extra strain on the eyes and increases fatigue. It is recommended that the ambient light and screen brightness be balanced.
What is the best solution for dry eyes?
Preservative-free artificial tear drops, frequent blinking, the 20-20-20 rule, and using a humidifier in air-conditioned environments are effective.
