Overview Coronavirus pandemic contributes to an increasing trend of working through digital screens. People are involved in work from homes or virtual learning opportunities. The digital setup provides the comfort of home and flexibility of time. However, it also has some negative effects, especially on the health of an individual and health of the eye. These digital screens emit a significant amount of blue light than any other colour. Blue light usually has a short wavelength which can damage the soft tissues of the human eye. Digital screens, such as computers, laptops, smartphone and tablets can cause fatigue and eye strain. Effect of blue light on eyesOur body is designed uniquely in context to the sleep-wake cycle. A hormone present in our body named melatonin controls our sleep-wake cycle. The sleep-wake cycle is a process that keeps you awake during the day and makes you rest by sleep during the night. Blue light potentially causes sleepless nights and daytime fatigue. The process depends on the secretion of melatonin. The secretion of melatonin requires a dark environment (night). Therefore, the use of digital screens increases the exposure of light and disturbs the production of melatonin. Blue light is responsible for the suppression of melatonin production. Are blue light glasses effective for eyes?Blue light glasses are also known as blue light blocking glasses. The specially designed glasses are used to blocking the blue light emitted from digital devices. The purpose of glasses is to prevent eyes from potential damage to the eye tissues. The lenses also help in maintaining the efficiency of the retina which are altered due to prolonged blue light exposure. The blue light lens has a coating on its surface that blocks the passage of blue light that tends to enter your eyes. There are limited sources that describe the efficiency of blue light lenses. Some doctors suggest the use of eye drops to prevent eyestrain. Measures to improve digital eye strainYou can treat your eyestrain by altering daily habits or the environment. A doctor prescribes specific advice for reading and using a computer to some people who wear glasses. Fortunately, there are several ways or tips to prevent your eyes from eye strain and are as follows: Adjustment of surrounding lights – Manage the level of lights in the surrounding environment. Try to keep medium brightness during working on the screen to avoid tiring your eyes. You can also adjust the contrast or even font size to prevent eyestrain. Limit screen time – You can limit the screen timing of the device. It gives you sufficient time to rest your eyes and prevents dryness of your eyes. Use of blue light filters – Blue light filters are available on most smartphones, computer screens or tablets. These have a specific design to prevent your eyes from eyestrain without reducing the amount of visibility of the display. Prefer more backgrounds – Using dark backgrounds at the time of reading can reduce the stress on the eyes. People have a low incidence of blurry vision and headaches while reading white texts on black background. Artificial tears – There are several over-the-counter artificial tears available in the market. Artificial tears help to provide relief from dryness. It is beneficial even if you don’t have any eye complaints because it lubricates the eyes efficiently. You may also consult with your ophthalmologist for the best artificial tears that work for you. Blinking of eyes – During work on the computers for long hours, many people blink at a reduced frequency, leading to dry eyes. Blinking of eyes helps to produce tears, which is necessary for the lubrication of the eyes. Take eye breaks – After working for long time on computers, your eyes need to take a break by looking away from the computer. Attempt the 20-20-20 rule to look at something placed at 20 feet for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Choose right eyewear – If you are a working professional and spending your maximum time on computers, you can consider glasses and lenses specifically designed for computer work. ConclusionWorking on digital devices is becoming a new trend. It has its advantages and disadvantages. You have to carve your lifestyle accordingly without compromising your health. It is necessary to take preventive measures for these eye conditions. Try to take small breaks from work to keep your eyes safe from blue light. Regular eye examination and consultation with professionals could help in preventing eye conditions harmful to the health of your eyes. Tags: Effect of blue light on eyes, eye conditions, Eye Hospital in Mumbai
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