Reader Question: I spend hours looking at screens every day for work. Could this be making my nearsightedness worse?
That’s a really good question. Evidence shows that spending too much time staring at screens could contribute to the progression of nearsightedness (myopia), especially in children and young adults.
When you focus on digital screens for extended periods, your eyes constantly adjust to the close-up distance. This can strain your eye muscles, leading to fatigue. It can also potentially affect the shape of your eyes over time and contribute to myopia.
Another factor contributing to myopia is spending less time outside. Natural light stimulates your eyes, releasing dopamine. This hormone regulates the growth of your eyes and is thought to help prevent myopia.
How can you protect your eyes while working?
Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to protect your vision and reduce the effects of staring at screens all day:
- Take regular breaks. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a much-needed break.
- Blink more often. Make a conscious effort to blink more often to keep your eyes moist. If your eyes feel dry, you may want to consider using artificial tears.
- Adjust your screen settings. Reduce the brightness and contrast of your screen to comfortable levels, and use a blue light filter if possible.
- Improve your setup. Ensure your screen is positioned at a comfortable distance and angle. You should also make sure to have good lighting.
- Spend more time outdoors. As mentioned earlier, natural light can help keep your eyes healthy. Try to make time for outdoor activities from time to time.
These are just a few simple steps you can take to protect your eye health. If you’re concerned about your vision, schedule an eye exam and discuss your concerns with an eye care professional. They can provide personalized advice and recommendations based on your needs.
