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Tag: computer vision syndrome

Prevent Eye Damage by Wearing Blue-Light Glasses. Learn More at Ojas Eye Hospital In Mumbai

If you experience eye strain or have trouble sleeping due to prolonged screen time, wearing blue-light glasses might really help you. If you have any eye problems, visit the best eye specialistsin Mumbai at Ojas – Eye Hospital as soon as possible to avoid future concerns.

Does Blue Light Glasses Prevent Damage To Your Eyes?

Blue light emitted from digital devices may result in problems including strain, dry eyes, and eye irritation.Blue light glasses are designed to block or filter out a portion of the blue light emitted by electronic devices and artificial light sources such as smartphones, computers, and LED lights.

How do blue light glasses work?

Blue light from digital devices is filtered out by blue light-blocking glasses with specially designed lenses. These lenses have specialized coatings on their surfaces that either absorb any harmful rays emitted by digital screens. Additionally, these glasses eliminate glare, which further lessens the harm that blue lights cause to your retina.

Can wearing blue-light glasses reduce eye strain?

Many people complain of eye discomfort when using digital screens. These symptoms are collectively known as computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital eye strain.

Several signs include:

  • Dry eyes.
  • Watery eyes.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Burning eyes.
  • Itchy eyes.
  • Sensitivity to light.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Headache.
  • Neck and shoulder pain.
  • Difficulty keeping your eyes open.

According to physicians, the majority of eye issues are caused by extended exposure to blue light primarily because you continuously change your focus and move your eyes when utilizing digital devices.However, you can shield your eyes from the harmful short-wave blue light by using blue light blocking glasses while using digital devices. The blue light spectacles also aid in reducing headaches and eye strain brought on by screen rays. Additionally, by obstructing blue light, these glasses assist in regulating your sleep patterns.

Conclusion from Ojas – Eye Hospital in Mumbai

Your eyes are a valuable possession and a window to this beautiful world. You must wear the proper protective glasses to safeguard the eyes, just as you would wear warm clothing to preserve your body from being cold. You would be able to concentrate more easily if you had less headaches, dry eyes, and headaches, as well as a healthier sleep cycle.

Consulting with the best eye surgeons in Mumbai eye at Ojas – Eye Hospital can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific needs.

Eye Health in the Digital Age: Is Too Much Screen Time A Concern For Your Eyes?

Too much time spent staring at a screen might cause eye strain. When you stare at the blue light from a screen, you tend to blink less, and the movement of the screen makes your eyes work harder to focus. We frequently do not place the screen at an ideal distance or angle, which can create additional strain. Many of these factors pile up and can have long-term effects on your vision, particularly in children.

Computer eye strain, also called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), arises as a result of prolonged concentration on a computer screen, causing fatigue and other vision-related difficulties. CVS can be caused by poor lighting, screen glare, insufficient viewing distance, poor seating posture, and other ergonomic difficulties.

Extended computer uses may have the following consequences on your eyes:

  • Eye tiredness: Overuse of your eyes can cause blurred vision, double vision, headaches, and difficulty inconcentrating.
  • Damage to the retina: Digital devices emit blue light, which can reach the retina and damage its blue-light-sensitive cells. This can result in early age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to vision loss. Children are more prone than adults to experiencing this when exposed to this high-energy light.
  • Loss of focus flexibility: Loss of focus flexibility is common as we age, but excessive screen usage can impair our capacity to quickly adjust our eyes to see at all distances.
  • Nearsightedness: Screen time can keep our children indoors, which can be harmful to their eye health in the long run. Natural lighting is essential for the development of children’s eyes. Children who spend more time indoors are more likely to develop nearsightedness.
  • Dry and irritated eyes: When staring at a screen, you tend to blink less, causing your eyes to get dry and irritated.
  • Insomnia or various types of sleep disorders: Furthermore, excessive screen usage can have a negative impact on your sleep. When utilized close to bedtime, blue light has been shown to affect the brain’s sleep patterns. The brain interprets the screen light as daylight, which might disrupt the body’s sleep rhythm.

Ways to protect your eyes from too much screen time

There are simple things you can do to reduce your risk of eye strain or damage, such as:

  • Take a break for your eyes: Follow the 20-20-20 rule to decrease eye strain. Every 20 minutes, take a break by staring at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This provides a pause for your eyes and helps them to refocus.
  • Adjust lighting: Most screens offer a brightness control. If your screen is brighter than the surrounding light, your eyes will have to work harder to see. To reduce eye strain, adjust your room lighting or screen lighting and raise the contrast on your screen. 
  • Minimize glare: It is critical that you position the screen so that there is no glare from sunlight or internal light. A glare might aggravate the eye even more.
  • Employ blue light filters: A blue light filter can reduce the quantity of blue light displayed on your screen. Your eyes will feel less weary at the end of the day if you reduce this light.
  • Keep your eyes moist: When your eyes feel dry, consider using artificial tears to moisten them. Not only does the screen time dry up your eyes, but the heaters and air conditioners in your home also further dry them out.
  • Maintain your distance: Keep your screen approximately an arm’s length or 25 inches away from your eyes. When the screen is close to your face, your eyes have to work harder. In addition, the screen should be slightly angled downwards.
  • Have a yearly eye exam: Get a yearly eye exam so your doctor can evaluate your eye health and see if any chronic eye diseases are forming.

Visit us

Digital devices are not going away, now they are a part of our everyday lives. Knowing how to care for our eyes is essential to keep them healthy for a lifetime. The negative effects of excessive screen time on your eyes can be easily prevented if you take precautions to reduce eye discomfort. If you detect symptoms emerging, you are most likely not taking the necessary safeguards. If the easy tips listed above do not help, you may have an underlying visual problem, such as eye muscle imbalance or impaired vision, so consult the best eye specialists at Ojas – Eye Hospital in Mumbai to experience the world class facilities.

Is your eyesight getting worse?

– Dr Niteen Dedhia, Dr Komal Sangoi

If you feel your eyesight is getting worse either suddenly or gradually, the best thing would be to visit an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). To understand why your eyesight may be deteriorating, we take a closer look at a few reasons:

Younger  age groups : (upto 40 years ) :

  • Refractive errors : This is the most common cause for defective vision in this age group. It can either be for distant objects (Myopia) or for near (Hypermetropia). This can very easily be corrected by either glasses or contact lenses. Surgical procedures like LASIK, Contoura and Phakic Intraocular lenses are other options that can free you from spectacle dependency.
  • Keratoconus : This is a condition in which the front portion of the eye (i.e cornea) bulges forward resulting in blurring of vision , double vision , frequent changes of glass power and poor quality of vision even after wearing spectacles. Various modalities are available for treatment including collagen cross linking with riboflavin (C3R) , INTACS and customised contact lenses.
  • Spasm of accommodation : It is seen in individuals involved in prolonged near work  could be reading , computer use etc.  In this condition following prolonged near work, the distance vision appears blurred. Pt also complains of tired eyes, frequent headaches, eye strain while working. Best treatment is to take a break from work for a day or two to let you eye muscles, the much needed break.
  • Computer vision syndrome : Eye strain, headache, neck pain, watering , blurring of vision, dry eyes experienced due to prolonged hours spent using visual devices like computers, phones, tablets, television etc is known as computer vision syndrome. Taking frequent breaks, good work posture, blinking eyes consciously, maintaining adequate lighting will help reduce the symptoms.
  • Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR) : CSR is build up of fluid under the retina resulting in diminished or distorted vision. Usually affects one eye at a time, rarely can affect both eyes. It is most commonly seen in males in the age group of 30 – 50 years. Stress is a very important risk factor. Usually it resolves in one to two months without any treatment with good recovery of the vision.

Middle age group (45 to 60 years ) :

  • Presbyopia : As you age, especially in the 40 to 50 age bracket, your eyesight may decline for close-up tasks, such as reading and looking at the fine print of smartphone screens. This happens because your crystalline lens becomes less flexible, making it hard to focus on close-up images. This condition is called presbyopia and will affect all of us at some stage in our lives. This is very easily corrected with glasses.
  • Glaucoma : It is a group of conditions in which the nerve connecting the eye and the brain (optic nerve ) gets damaged . Most common cause is rise in intra-ocular pressure (eye pressure). The more common type of glaucoma (open angle )often has no symptoms other than very slow vision loss. Hence it is very important to get your eyes checked routinely especially if you have any family members who suffer from glaucoma. Main treatment consists of antiglaucoma eyedrops. Surgery is considered when there is no improvement with medication.  The other type of glaucoma (angle closure) is a medical emergency and is characterised by very painful, watery eyes, photophobia and blurring of vision. Immediate medical help should be sought.
  • Cataract :  Many people especially in their late 50s or early 60s start to develop cataract.  Symptoms include changing glass power, blurring vision, difficulty in night driving , glare etc. A visit to your ophthalmologist will help clarify whether you have this problem or not. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the cataractous lens followed by implantation of artificial lens inside the eye.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy : It is caused due to damage to the blood vessels of the retina due to poorly controlled blood sugar. A yearly check- up of retina by an ophthalmologist is a must to detect this problem. Depending on the condition, treatment consists of laser to the retina and injections given into the eye. In very advanced cases surgical intervention may be necessary.

Older age group (Above 60 years) :

  • Cataract : It is the most common cause for reducing vision in this age group.Symptoms include changing glass power, blurring vision, difficulty in night driving, glare etc. A visit to your ophthalmologist will help clarify whether you have this problem or not.Treatment consists of surgical removal of the cataractous lens followed by implantation of artificial lens inside the eye.
  • Glaucoma : It is a group of conditions in which the nerve connecting the eye and the brain (optic nerve ) gets damaged . Most common cause is rise in intra-ocular pressure (eye pressure). The more common type of glaucoma (open angle)often has no symptoms other than very slow vision loss. Hence it is very important to get your eyes checked routinely especially if you have any family members who suffer from glaucoma.Main treatment consists of antiglaucoma eye drops. Surgery is considered when there is no improvement with medication  The other type of glaucoma (angle closure) is a medical emergency and is characterised by very painful, watery eyes, photophobia and blurring of vision. Immediate medical help should be sought.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy : It is caused due to damage to the blood vessels of the retina due to poorly controlled blood sugar. A yearly check- up of retina by an ophthalmologist is a must to detect this problem at the earliest and to provide necessary treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. . Depending on the condition, treatment consists of laser to the retina and injections given into the eye. In very advanced cases surgical management may be necessary.
  • Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) : It is  degeneration of the retina which affects the central vision. It could either be dry ARMD where the central retina (macula) deteriorates or wet ARMD where leaky blood vessels grow under the retina. A special combination of vitamins and minerals may reduce disease progression in dry ARMD. Whereas LASER and eye injections are used to treat wet ARMD.

Caring Your Eyes During Work From Home

Overview

In this era of the coronavirus epidemic, the number of people working from home has significantly increased since the start of the year 2020. As a result, the time spent by a person in front of the screen has significantly increased. Eventually, this may lead to eye-related problems. Prolonged use of screens, especially computers, may increase eye strain. Even under the best ambient conditions, spending significant time in front of the computer screen can lead to an eye strain known as computer vision syndrome. Spending significant time in front of electronic devices may affect the functions served by the eye. It means that the eye’s ability to converge up close has been decreased. When we work on the computer, we blink less often than we should. Therefore, following these steps will help keep your eyes healthy and in good condition.

Rest Breaks Are Important For The Eyes

It is very important to rest a few times, especially when working from home. It is the most important tip for caring for your eyes during work from the period. Provide rest to your eyes for a few minutes after every twenty to thirty minutes of working time. You can also try to divert your attention to something far, least twenty feet away. Do this at an interval of every half an hour. This is known as the 20-20 -20 rule. After every 20 minutes of onscreen time, take your eyes  20 seconds off the screen and look 20 feet away. After every two hours of working, massage the muscles around the eyes or wash your face with cold water. Avoid rubbing your eyes with your hands. It will help in lowering the strain on your eyes.

Maintain Safe Distance From Device To Protect Eyes

You should always keep a proper distance between your eyes and your computer screen. It will reduce the strain on your eyes. The screen should be at a distance equal to your arm. The screen should be positioned below the level of your natural line of sight. Looking slightly downward is easier and ergonomically better. It will also keep your eyelids slightly closed and prevent the eyes from drying up.

Larger Fonts, Less Eye Strain

If you have ever noticed yourself squinting to read out the text on your computer screen. The smaller is the font size, the more pressure on your eyes. Smaller letters needs more focusing with both the internal and external muscles of the eyes. Therefore, increasing the font size will decreasing the strain. One more thing you can do for maintaining the health of your eyes is that do not to get too close to the screen when you are reading the text.

Keep Good Light For Better Visibility

Ambient lighing of the room room is way more important than you think. Insufficient lighting may put a strain on your eyes. A lighting setting that is too bright can also increase the strain on your eyes and cause headaches. Your screen must be bright enough that you do not need to squint while reading the texts on the screen. For decreasing the strain on your eyes from screen glare, you can also use the anti-glare screen protector over it.

Sitting In An Appropriate Posture

Maintaining a proper posture while working is very important. It is the first step in preventing eye strain. For example, while you are sitting on a chair, make sure that your feet are flat on the floor. Also, make sure that your wrist is not resting on the keyboard. The wrist must be remain lifted while typing or using a mouse.

Blinking Does Wonder For Our Eyes

When it comes to decreasing the strain on the eyes during the ‘work from  home’  season, this is the most common and easiest approach. Blinking is among the most important things we naturally do without even thinking of it. Blinking of eyes evens out the tear film and hence adequately lubricates the eyes. This moisture i.e tear film helps in preventing the eyes from getting dry.  Studies have revealed that the blinking rate of a person who works on computer screen is reduced to one third the normal rate. This may  lead to reduced vision, eye dryness, and irritation. Hence conscious blinking while onscreen is beneficial.

Ojas Eye Hospital A Center of Excellence for Contoura Vision, Femto Bladefree Lasik in Mumbai, India.