Screen Time Exposure and Eye Health
Most people are aware that too much exposure to screens can have a negative effect on one's health. But how much screen time is considered safe for eyes?
Blue Light Exposure: Blue light emitted by most screens can damage the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, central vision. Too much blue light exposure can lead to macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60.
Digital Eye Strain: Long periods of time spent looking at screens can also cause digital eye strain, which can lead to symptoms such as blurred vision, headaches, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.
UV Light Exposure: Many screens emit UV light, which can damage the parts of the eye responsible for focusing. This can lead to cataracts, a clouding of the eye's lens that causes blurred vision.
Safe Screen Time Limits
The American Optometric Association recommends that adults limit their screen time to no more than two hours per day. For children, the recommendation is even lower, with no more than one hour of screen time per day recommended.
Tips for Reducing Screen Time
To reduce your risk of eye damage from screens, follow these tips:
• Take regular breaks: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break from your screen and look at something 20 feet away.
• Use proper lighting: Avoid glare from windows and overhead lights by using an anti-glare screen filter or adjusting your monitor's brightness and contrast.
• Adjust your position: Sit at least an arm's length away from your screen and adjust the screen's height so that your eyes are level with the top of the monitor.
• Use proper eyewear: If you wear glasses, make sure they are up-to-date and suited for computer use. You can also purchase computer glasses, which have anti-reflective lenses to reduce glare.