Easy on the Eyes

Now that everything is being transferred to a digital format, the time you spend staring at a screen has increased exponentially. It’s estimated that the average American spends over seven hours looking at some form of a screen each day. Daily texting, scrolling, liking and surfing is now having an affect on our eyes. 

Where are you exposed to blue light?  

Fluorescent light

• CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs
• LED light
• Flat screen LED televisions
• Computer monitors, smart phones and tablet screens

According to reports from the American Optometric Association, increased screen time has created a norm of eyestrain, dryness, difficulty sleeping, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and headaches — all symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome, also known as Digital Eye Strains. Due to the number of symptoms that each person likely experiences each day, it is expected that many people have no idea that they are even being affected by their extended screen usage.

What makes matters worse, is that even if you do realize the issue, screens have become such a part of everyday life, it makes it almost impossible to cut back on the number of screens your eyes have to view each day. 

Smartphones have become essential to almost every aspect of life, starting with the alarm clock that wakes you up to a resource for daily life. They are at an omnipresent level in each moment of your day. Once this is mixed in with the computer you use at work, along with after hours streaming services and video games, it seems as though there is no way to avoid the inevitable amount of strain that accompanies a modern lifestyle.

Protecting your eyes has become critical, and thankfully there are simple ways to combat the negative effects of screen time.
Blue Blocker Lenses are the newest way to help cut back on eye strain. These virtually clear lenses are typically made with a special blue lightblocking polymer that prevents blue light and UV rays from passing through the lens. 

You can find affordable blue blocker glasses online. Many eyewear companies also offer the option of incorporating this protection into prescription lenses. If glasses aren’t your thing, there are also blue light-blocking screen protectors available for smartphones, tablets and laptops. Users of blue light-blocking glasses and screen protectors speak to noticeable differences after just days of usage — fresher eyes, better levels of sleep and fewer headaches. 

If you’re still skeptical, companies such as Spectrum, offer a trial run to test out the glasses no risk. So throw on a pair of glasses, or stick on that screen protector and see for yourself the difference a little tint can make for your overall health.