Digital devices may have an affect on eye health

July 27, 2010

A recent study conducted by eye doctors in conjunction with VSP Vision Care, a nonprofit that offers vision care and benefits, has found that people who spend more than four hours a day in front of digital devices may suffer from a number of vision problems.

Eye strain, fatigue and headaches are common indicators that your eye health may be compromised by the overuse of certain devices including computers and and smart phones.

Thirty three percent of the eye doctors invovled said that one third of their patients suffered from Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Dry or irritated eye and eye strain are common symptoms of the syndrome. Doctors also found that many of their patients were unaware of what CVS is.

"For professionals with this condition, work productivity can decrease by as much as 20 percent. We are seeing patients uncomfortable in the workplace with neck pain, headaches, eye strain, blurred vision, etc. that could easily be avoided," Dr Nate Bonilla-Warford, doctor with VSP, said.

Experts recommend blinking often and following the 20/20/20 rule, which is for every 20 minutes you spend looking at a device, look at something else for 20 seconds that is 20 feet away.