While our presence online is escalating, we start realizing not only the advantages but also the effects of screen booming. In the last few years, the time we spent in front of the screen increased dramatically. Are you curious about the icing on the cake? COVID-19! Social distancing and isolation pushed us even more towards devices. A report from Ofcom’s “Online Nation” mentions that in 2020 the time UK adults spent online is more than three and a half hours daily which equals an increase of one-fifth in three years (Bradshaw, 2021). In the beginning, remote working was an emergency and temporary solution to the pandemic, but now it is the new trend, and it is here to stay!
However, this new reality revealed to us its negative side. According to Hartl, studies showed that from 2020 screen time has been growing and even doubled among US children (2021). This extensive use of devices causes Computer Vision Syndrome or, in simple words, digital eye strain, which affects 50% to 90% of people who are working online (Kaur, 2020). In detail, when we are working in front of the screen, we are exposed to blue light which, in combination with the intense concentration, entails a higher risk of eye fatigue. Some of the symptoms might be blurred vision, headaches, heightened light sensitivity etc. (Hartl, 2021). Moreover, a quantitative research, constituted by almost 2000 participants, showed that digital eye strain is associated with factors like the usage of more than one device, age, employment status and the duration of screen time activity (Alabdulkader, 2021).
At this point, it should be mentioned that eye fatigue is not only an effect of screen exposure. When we are concentrated entirely on one thing, for instance, in reading, we blink less, and our eyes dehydrate. This phenomenon is just more intense when we stare at a screen. Have you heard of the term Zoom Fatigue? This term implies optic and mental tiredness because of virtual interactions which are extremely exhausting for the human brain because more attention is required, as the body language and gestures are almost abolished (Sklar, 2021).
With all being said, you might wonder: Is there any solution to this issue? Are we able to deal with eye fatigue? Well, there are some tips and suggestions to limit its impact. First and foremost, give your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule, where you take a short break of 20 seconds for every 20 minutes you spend in front of the screen. Also, going outside and doing activities that do not involve screens can help you reduce headaches and relax your eye muscles, thanks to the natural light (Bradshaw, 2021).
Another tip is to buy blue-light glasses and use them when you are working, or even when you are watching TV. These glasses have special lenses which block or filter out the blue light emitted by the screens, and they help to decrease potential damage to our retina (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). In addition, the adjustment of the settings of our screens, like the brightness, the contrast, and the dark mode can contribute to lower the risk of digital eye strain.
Last but not least, try to monitor your daily screen time! Spending less time in front of the screen on a daily basis by activating the Night Shift Mode or by receiving daily screen time reports will help you moderate your screen activity and reduce it gradually. And try to block notifications, regarding work, in the evening and especially at weekends. It works!
It is undeniable that teleworking will continue growing! Therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of ourselves and prevent the impact of the digital era by embracing all the opportunities the digital world provides us! And keep in mind that prevention is the key! A healthy lifestyle, an annual vision check-up accompanied by the aforementioned tips, might not be a panacea but it is a start towards a better digital device future.
And one last thing: When you finish reading this article, take a look out of your window, just for 20 seconds and choose to do something that brings you joy!
References
Alabdulkader, B. (2021). Effect of digital device use during COVID-19 on digital eye strain. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 1-7.
Bradshaw, T. (2021). The new 20-second rule: how to tackle screen fatigue and sore eyes. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/9f6ec081-cda8-4e2c-8665-c38cefc27d0a
Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Do Blue Light Glasses Work?. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-blue-light-blocking-glasses-actually-work/
Hartl, K. (2021). Is Too Much Screen Time Giving You Eye Fatigue? Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2021/07/is-too-much-screen-time-giving-you-eye-fatigue
Kaur, T. (2020). Computer vision syndrome during COVID-19: Eye fatigue and how to counter it. The Ubyssey. Retrieved from https://www.ubyssey.ca/science/covid-computer-vision-syndrome/
Sklar, J. (2021). ‘Zoom fatigue’ is taxing the brain. Here’s why that happens. Science. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/coronavirus-zoom-fatigue-is-taxing-the-brain-here-is-why-that-happens
Related Posts
While our presence online is escalating, we start realizing not only the advantages but also the effects of screen booming. In the last few years, the time we spent in front of the screen increased dramatically. Are you curious about the icing on the cake? COVID-19! Social distancing and isolation pushed us even more towards devices. A report from Ofcom’s “Online Nation” mentions that in 2020 the time UK adults spent online is more than three and a half hours daily which equals an increase of one-fifth in three years (Bradshaw, 2021). In the beginning, remote working was an emergency and temporary solution to the pandemic, but now it is the new trend, and it is here to stay!
However, this new reality revealed to us its negative side. According to Hartl, studies showed that from 2020 screen time has been growing and even doubled among US children (2021). This extensive use of devices causes Computer Vision Syndrome or, in simple words, digital eye strain, which affects 50% to 90% of people who are working online (Kaur, 2020). In detail, when we are working in front of the screen, we are exposed to blue light which, in combination with the intense concentration, entails a higher risk of eye fatigue. Some of the symptoms might be blurred vision, headaches, heightened light sensitivity etc. (Hartl, 2021). Moreover, a quantitative research, constituted by almost 2000 participants, showed that digital eye strain is associated with factors like the usage of more than one device, age, employment status and the duration of screen time activity (Alabdulkader, 2021).
At this point, it should be mentioned that eye fatigue is not only an effect of screen exposure. When we are concentrated entirely on one thing, for instance, in reading, we blink less, and our eyes dehydrate. This phenomenon is just more intense when we stare at a screen. Have you heard of the term Zoom Fatigue? This term implies optic and mental tiredness because of virtual interactions which are extremely exhausting for the human brain because more attention is required, as the body language and gestures are almost abolished (Sklar, 2021).
With all being said, you might wonder: Is there any solution to this issue? Are we able to deal with eye fatigue? Well, there are some tips and suggestions to limit its impact. First and foremost, give your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule, where you take a short break of 20 seconds for every 20 minutes you spend in front of the screen. Also, going outside and doing activities that do not involve screens can help you reduce headaches and relax your eye muscles, thanks to the natural light (Bradshaw, 2021).
Another tip is to buy blue-light glasses and use them when you are working, or even when you are watching TV. These glasses have special lenses which block or filter out the blue light emitted by the screens, and they help to decrease potential damage to our retina (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). In addition, the adjustment of the settings of our screens, like the brightness, the contrast, and the dark mode can contribute to lower the risk of digital eye strain.
Last but not least, try to monitor your daily screen time! Spending less time in front of the screen on a daily basis by activating the Night Shift Mode or by receiving daily screen time reports will help you moderate your screen activity and reduce it gradually. And try to block notifications, regarding work, in the evening and especially at weekends. It works!
It is undeniable that teleworking will continue growing! Therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of ourselves and prevent the impact of the digital era by embracing all the opportunities the digital world provides us! And keep in mind that prevention is the key! A healthy lifestyle, an annual vision check-up accompanied by the aforementioned tips, might not be a panacea but it is a start towards a better digital device future.
And one last thing: When you finish reading this article, take a look out of your window, just for 20 seconds and choose to do something that brings you joy!
References
Alabdulkader, B. (2021). Effect of digital device use during COVID-19 on digital eye strain. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 1-7.
Bradshaw, T. (2021). The new 20-second rule: how to tackle screen fatigue and sore eyes. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/9f6ec081-cda8-4e2c-8665-c38cefc27d0a
Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Do Blue Light Glasses Work?. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-blue-light-blocking-glasses-actually-work/
Hartl, K. (2021). Is Too Much Screen Time Giving You Eye Fatigue? Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2021/07/is-too-much-screen-time-giving-you-eye-fatigue
Kaur, T. (2020). Computer vision syndrome during COVID-19: Eye fatigue and how to counter it. The Ubyssey. Retrieved from https://www.ubyssey.ca/science/covid-computer-vision-syndrome/
Sklar, J. (2021). ‘Zoom fatigue’ is taxing the brain. Here’s why that happens. Science. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/coronavirus-zoom-fatigue-is-taxing-the-brain-here-is-why-that-happens
Related Posts
While our presence online is escalating, we start realizing not only the advantages but also the effects of screen booming. In the last few years, the time we spent in front of the screen increased dramatically. Are you curious about the icing on the cake? COVID-19! Social distancing and isolation pushed us even more towards devices. A report from Ofcom’s “Online Nation” mentions that in 2020 the time UK adults spent online is more than three and a half hours daily which equals an increase of one-fifth in three years (Bradshaw, 2021). In the beginning, remote working was an emergency and temporary solution to the pandemic, but now it is the new trend, and it is here to stay!
However, this new reality revealed to us its negative side. According to Hartl, studies showed that from 2020 screen time has been growing and even doubled among US children (2021). This extensive use of devices causes Computer Vision Syndrome or, in simple words, digital eye strain, which affects 50% to 90% of people who are working online (Kaur, 2020). In detail, when we are working in front of the screen, we are exposed to blue light which, in combination with the intense concentration, entails a higher risk of eye fatigue. Some of the symptoms might be blurred vision, headaches, heightened light sensitivity etc. (Hartl, 2021). Moreover, a quantitative research, constituted by almost 2000 participants, showed that digital eye strain is associated with factors like the usage of more than one device, age, employment status and the duration of screen time activity (Alabdulkader, 2021).
At this point, it should be mentioned that eye fatigue is not only an effect of screen exposure. When we are concentrated entirely on one thing, for instance, in reading, we blink less, and our eyes dehydrate. This phenomenon is just more intense when we stare at a screen. Have you heard of the term Zoom Fatigue? This term implies optic and mental tiredness because of virtual interactions which are extremely exhausting for the human brain because more attention is required, as the body language and gestures are almost abolished (Sklar, 2021).
With all being said, you might wonder: Is there any solution to this issue? Are we able to deal with eye fatigue? Well, there are some tips and suggestions to limit its impact. First and foremost, give your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule, where you take a short break of 20 seconds for every 20 minutes you spend in front of the screen. Also, going outside and doing activities that do not involve screens can help you reduce headaches and relax your eye muscles, thanks to the natural light (Bradshaw, 2021).
Another tip is to buy blue-light glasses and use them when you are working, or even when you are watching TV. These glasses have special lenses which block or filter out the blue light emitted by the screens, and they help to decrease potential damage to our retina (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). In addition, the adjustment of the settings of our screens, like the brightness, the contrast, and the dark mode can contribute to lower the risk of digital eye strain.
Last but not least, try to monitor your daily screen time! Spending less time in front of the screen on a daily basis by activating the Night Shift Mode or by receiving daily screen time reports will help you moderate your screen activity and reduce it gradually. And try to block notifications, regarding work, in the evening and especially at weekends. It works!
It is undeniable that teleworking will continue growing! Therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of ourselves and prevent the impact of the digital era by embracing all the opportunities the digital world provides us! And keep in mind that prevention is the key! A healthy lifestyle, an annual vision check-up accompanied by the aforementioned tips, might not be a panacea but it is a start towards a better digital device future.
And one last thing: When you finish reading this article, take a look out of your window, just for 20 seconds and choose to do something that brings you joy!
References
Alabdulkader, B. (2021). Effect of digital device use during COVID-19 on digital eye strain. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 1-7.
Bradshaw, T. (2021). The new 20-second rule: how to tackle screen fatigue and sore eyes. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/9f6ec081-cda8-4e2c-8665-c38cefc27d0a
Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Do Blue Light Glasses Work?. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-blue-light-blocking-glasses-actually-work/
Hartl, K. (2021). Is Too Much Screen Time Giving You Eye Fatigue? Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2021/07/is-too-much-screen-time-giving-you-eye-fatigue
Kaur, T. (2020). Computer vision syndrome during COVID-19: Eye fatigue and how to counter it. The Ubyssey. Retrieved from https://www.ubyssey.ca/science/covid-computer-vision-syndrome/
Sklar, J. (2021). ‘Zoom fatigue’ is taxing the brain. Here’s why that happens. Science. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/coronavirus-zoom-fatigue-is-taxing-the-brain-here-is-why-that-happens
