It's a fact that computers make our work easier and more efficient. However on the other hand, computers also affect our health at the same time. Many people suffer from digital eye strain and this can cause neck and headaches plus more.
According to experts, 70 to 75% of those who work or sit on a computer have vision problems. This condition is called "computer vision syndrome". Sitting by a computer for more than three hours a day poses a potential threat. This comes in the form of many physical aches and pains. These include but are not limited to:-
- headaches,
- stiff neck and shoulders,
- repetitive strain injury,
- frozen shoulder,
- shallow breathing
- and computer vision syndrome.
Digital Eye strain
Recently, a 2-year-old girl from China was diagnosed with severe myopia because her parents allowed her to use a phone for longer periods of time since she was only a year old.
The girl's condition is worrisome, especially considering her age, and it will only get worse as she ages. Digital eye strain can lead onto many other conditions and we need to take responsibility for our health.
In Australia, the current recommendation is for children to spend not ore than 2 hours looking at the screen. Children under the age of 2 shouldn't be allowed any screen time at all, according to information found on The Sydney Children’s Hospital website.
In addition, excessive screen time can also change the brain structure of the child according to a recent US study.
How Looking At a Screen Damages Eyesight
The consequence of long-term and excessive looking at the computer is the weakening of the ability of certain types of eye accommodation. One reason is unnatural looking or loss of perspective. It is natural that the eye wanders with changes in focus on close and distant objects.
We usually look at screens from a relatively small distance from the eye. Over time, the eye loses its ability to quickly focus objects at a greater distance, and the lens of the eye loses elasticity.
The problem is that eye movements are extremely frequent but short, because the things the eye focuses on, either on a monitor or a keyboard, are only a few millimetres away.
Under normal circumstances, the eye moves slightly 50 to 60 times in just one second, constantly changing what it looks at. Such subtle movements are necessary for a clearer vision. This reduces the tension of the entire visual system. Read how Yoga practices can help you to prevent eye strain.
Concentration stops eyes from focusing
With intellectual work and deep concentration, inevitably, the eye stops focusing entirely on real objects. When we are looking at the screen, but thinking about something else we lose the objects on the screen as in a fog. Then we being to see the objects indirectly and intuitively and are accustomed to watching them as if through a fog without any possible details. You see the objects indirectly and are intuitively getting accustomed to looking at them "through the fog" without all the possible details.
What Can You Do To Prevent Damage To Your Eyes?
In order to alleviate or eliminate the problems caused by looking at the screen for a longer period of time, we propose:
- Adjust the brightness of the screen to the intensity that isn't tiring to your eyes.
- Limit the time you look at the screen in one sitting.
- Apply the rule to look at the distance for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
- Use special filters in glasses or to reduce the glare. Wearing special glasses designed to operate on a computer reduces eyestrain.
Parents should contact a doctor in case you notice that the child blinks a lot, squints, has red eyes, if they complain of tearing, blurred vision, eye fatigue and headache.
Electronic devices used by your children should be set at an adequate height and with optimal lighting in order to prevent possible eyesight issues.
Lunchtime Chair Yoga therapy
join our classes and stop in the middle of the day to relieve digital eyestrain and other computer related conditions. Become aware of your breathing, posture, mind and eyesight. Take some time in the middle of your day to really connect with yourself and make any subtle adjustments. This will give you energy for the rest of the day. You can find out more here.
