Do you feel your eyes are dry and tired after a long day staring at a computer screen? You are not alone. Many people contact us for these reasons, especially during this period of confinement.
Digital screens emit a fair amount of light, which can have negative consequences for your eyes, including fatigue, dry or watery eyes, and irritated eyes. Too much blue light after sunset is known to prevent you from falling asleep because it disrupts your circadian cycle ie your internal clock which tells you when it's time to sleep or be awake.
Unfortunately, most of us cannot avoid using computers, tablets, and phones in our day-to-day lives. So how do you deal with the negative consequences of digital screens?
Blue light blocking glasses are very "trendy" when it comes to wellness. What are these glasses?
They are equipped with lenses specially designed to filter blue light, and have the function of protecting your eyes from the glare caused by prolonged exposure to screens.
Are blue light blocking glasses really worth the hype?
It may surprise you, but many eye problems caused by digital screens are not due to blue light.
Indeed, many people experience eye discomfort from long hours in front of screens , but most of the problems are actually eye strain and discomfort, and not directly from the blue light itself.
When we stare at a screen or digital device for too long, we don't blink very often, which makes the cornea dry and irritated. And when we force our eyes to look at something close, like a screen or even a book, our eye muscles tense up, which can cause fatigue. But if you look at a distant object, your eyes relax.
So instead of spending on blue light reducing glasses, try following these tips:
- Practice the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will help your eyes relax.
- Remember to close your eyelids completely frequently to keep your eyes well lubricated. Blinking brings new tears to your eyes, oxygenates your tissues, and can even reduce the appearance of blood vessels.
- Sit an arm's length (about 60 cm) from your screen. Most people sit too close to the computer and experience eye strain. This is also valid for wearers of progressive lenses, which are effective if the high screen is at arm's length away.
- Schedule your screens to automatically switch to night mode so that their brightness is reduced once the sun goes down.
- If you have trouble falling asleep, get into the habit of turning off all your digital devices at least an hour before bedtime.
The team of opticians and optometrists at Les Bars à lunettes are there for you, do not hesitate to contact us for any problem related to your vision.
Marie-Sophie Dion,
optician and CEO
glasses bar
www.baralunettes.com