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Time Magazine
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time Magazine
Lights Are Brighter Than Ever. Is That Bad for Your Eyes?
A few years back, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez started noticing the extreme brightness of car headlights in rural Washington, where she lives—and felt bombarded. 'You come around a curve and get these headlights smack in your face,' she says. 'They make you lose reaction time. It's a real safety risk.' As a U.S. Representative, she's working to change federal regulations to limit how bright headlights can be. Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez—who is also co-founder of an auto repair shop in addition to her political service—points out that even though vehicle safety has improved in the past decade, total road fatalities have gone up. Deadly accidents occur disproportionately at night, as headlight brightness has increased. It's not just headlights. Our eyes are increasingly assailed by ultra-bright billboard ads, dazzling street lights, and glowing personal screens. The resulting glare could affect long-term vision. 'High-intensity lights are potentially harmful because they concentrate so much brightness into a small area,' says Jacqueline Bowen, president of the American Optometric Association. Here's what experts think about the risks of bright artificial lights and how to protect your eyes. Bright new world LED lights have turned up the brightness on our environments. Compared to previous technologies, LEDs shine a more focused, directed beam and pack particularly intense blue light: the high-energy wavelength found in natural daylight. Invented in the 1960s, LEDs weren't embraced until the '90s, when engineers developed more efficient, longer-lasting versions. Since then, LEDs have been widely adopted, enhancing visibility and even productivity. But they're also blamed for global light pollution, visible even from the International Space Station. Here on Earth, the additional blue light is giving rise to complaints. LED headlights are especially bothersome. Gluesenkamp Perez recently conducted a poll in which nearly 70% of her constituents and followers said they're too bright. Among personal vehicles manufactured in 2023, about 3 in 4 have LED headlights, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told TIME. Laptops, tablets, and other screens are a more insidious but constant source of LED light. Remember mom telling you not to stare at light bulbs? Well, 'a screen is just a flat, square light bulb,' Bowen explains, and about one-third of us stare at such screens for more than seven hours per day. Blinded by the light This intense light could be harming eye health. We just don't know the extent of the problem. People born after the early 2000s are unwitting participants in a natural experiment testing how their eyes will persevere over a lifetime of bright-light exposure, experts say. Even fireworks seem brighter lately. Watching the nighttime show at the famous Rocky Steps in Philadelphia this past July 4th, Dr. Joshua Dunaeif was one of few in the crowd wearing sunglasses. Although not LEDs, 'some fireworks are incredibly bright,' he says. An ophthalmology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Dunaief knows too much about the risks to leave his shades at home. 'Excessive light can damage the retina,' the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye, Dunaief says. Read More: 10 Symptoms ER Doctors Say to Never Ignore An extreme example is glare from the sun. Looking at it too long can create a permanent blind spot. Modern technologies—like fireworks, headlights, and personal screens—are far less intense than sunlight, but cumulative exposures could be harmful over time, Dunaief says. Researchers, however, haven't been able to calculate these lifetime exposures. If constant bright lights are slowly damaging our eyes, they might fuel more cases of age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, which already affects 11 million Americans. They could also contribute to cataracts and eye sunburns called photokeratitis. Eye color plays a role in one's susceptibility. Because blue and green eyes have less pigment, they transmit more light to the retinas, meaning higher risk of damage, on average, than darker-colored eyes, Dunaief says. Driver safety People with certain eye conditions are more impacted by bright light. Especially in people with such disorders, bright LEDs can contribute to eye pain and traffic accidents when driving at night. LED headlights produce significant glare, which makes it tough to distinguish one object from another, called contrast sensitivity. 'You might miss objects you'd normally see if there were no headlights or dimmer headlights,' says Cynthia Owsley, who studies the impact of aging on vision at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Headlights may also cause bleaching, where the blast of light overwhelms the retina's neurons. They have to reset before sensing light again. 'It's very uncomfortable and makes it hard to see for several seconds,' Dunaief says. Bright light tends to affect older people more. Those with AMD, especially, might see okay during the day, but at night, they may take longer to recover from flashes of light, Owsley says. This interferes with pedestrians' vision, too. As Owsley has grown older and developed an eye condition, she avoids night driving due to such visibility problems. The risk and harms of AMD increase after age 65, but bright lights afflict younger people, too. One explanation is dry eye, where the eye's tear layer becomes uneven, scattering light for more glare. 'It's like having a dirty windshield,' which worsens glare similarly, Bowen says. Read More: Battling Dry Eyes? Here's What Actually Helps Middle-age is commonly when people get chronic dry eye, but some autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's syndrome cause it in younger people. Too much screen time is another culprit. When fixated on screens, our blink reflex is suppressed. 'It's shocking how much tear gland loss is evident in teenagers,' Bowen says. The condition may degrade long-term vision, she adds. One fix—in addition to reducing screen time—is simply reminding yourself to blink more. You can also use rewetting drops (as long as they're preservative-free), but such drops provide very temporary relief, Dunaief says. What's tricky is that people with dry eye often don't feel the dryness, Bowen adds. So if you notice bright lights hurting your eyes at night, this could be your sole wakeup call to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor to check if a condition like dry eye explains it. 'Much of this comes down to individual differences,' Owsley says. 'Some people are just very photosensitive. But if I were young and having trouble driving at night, I would definitely see an ophthalmologist.' Protect your eyes from bright light For eye health, 'the best strategy is prevention,' Owsley says. 'Even in your 40s, you should have routine comprehensive eye exams' with an ophthalmologist or optometrist. If an issue is identified, they can start treating it. Nutrition can also help. NIH researchers found that two antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, lower the risk of AMD. They're abundant in green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, as well as yellow and orange peppers. Limit sources of blue light at night (which can also disrupt sleep). If you're viewing screens, Dunaief recommends using software programs like to minimize blue light and brightness. When on the road, look at your own lane instead of oncoming traffic. Dunaief tries to look slightly to the right of his lane. Eye tracking research suggests the novelty of very bright headlights attracts people to gaze right at them. This increases glare exposure and recovery time, says Matthew Brumbelow, principal research engineer at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Read More: The Surprising Health Benefits of Spicy Food You might also aim for a preemptive strike: some evidence suggests that drivers of newer vehicles with bright headlights get into fewer crashes related to glare. 'Laboratory experiments suggest the more driver visibility, the less you're affected by glare from other sources,' Brumbelow says. In 2022, NHTSA finalized a rule to allow a new LED headlight, called adaptive driving beams, that block portions of the beam to 'ensure they do not glare other drivers' while maintaining visibility, according to NHTSA. Brumbelow says they're promising, yet few U.S. manufacturers have added these headlights because regulations make it difficult. Europe has permitted them for more than a decade. In the meantime, to help ensure your own bright headlights don't cause an accident, maintenance is key, says Gluesenkamp Perez. 'Older LEDs can start to flicker and strobe—another risk for more glare,' she says. More data on LED headlights and driver safety are needed. Brumbelow has found that cars with headlights rated highly by IIHS for visibility—which includes many but not all LED headlights—have 19% fewer nighttime crashes compared to cars with poor headlight visibility. It's harder to track glare-caused accidents, but the rates seem very low, according to Brumbelow. 'When glare is a factor, the drivers are more likely to be older,' he adds. Older people might benefit from eyelid surgery—drooping eyelids reflect bright light directly into the eyes. Dr. Charles Herman, a plastic surgeon in private practice near Philadelphia, says a major reason people visit him for eyelid surgery is complaints about glare from bright lights. (Ironically, he's also studied how bright lights in the operating room harm surgeons' eyes.) People of all ages could consider getting night driving glasses, which reduce blue light and glare—but protect the lenses. If scratched or smeared, they create more glare, as does your windshield, Bowen says. On July 17, Gluesenkamp Perez's legislation to further study the impact of headlight brightness advanced in the House. Until we learn more from such research, eat your dark leafy vegetables, see an eye doctor, and don't forget to blink.
CNET
17-07-2025
- Health
- CNET
Follow These 10 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy As You Age
Summer has arrived, bringing sunny days and a higher danger from UV rays than at any other time of year. You might be used to slathering on sunscreen to protect your skin, but have you also been protecting your eyes? We only get one pair of eyes, but protecting them isn't always top of mind for many of us. From overuse to UV rays, our eyes are at risk of damage every day. Thankfully, there are plenty of easy ways to keep them healthy. 1. Wear sunglasses to block UV light Exposing your eyes to ultraviolet rays may cause damage over time. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, wearing sunglasses can block harmful UV light, lowering your risk of eye diseases like cataracts, sunburn, eye cancer and growths around the eye. Polarized glasses with smoke or gray lenses may offer the best protection against the sun's rays and reduce glare. Read more: Best Prescription Sunglasses 2. Take screen breaks every 20 minutes Prolonged screen time can cause dry eyes, pain in the neck and shoulders, blurred vision, headaches and digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome. The American Optometric Association recommends using the 20-20-20 rule to prevent computer vision syndrome. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 3. Take book breaks, too Screen time isn't the only way to strain your eyes. You probably hold a book up close for long periods when you read it. Both activities can lead to nearsightedness, or myopia, which means faraway objects are blurry, while up-close objects are clear. Just like you should use the 20-20-20 rule to take screen breaks, you should also use this rule for book breaks. If you find yourself engrossed in what you're reading or doing on the computer, set an alarm so you don't miss your breaks.4. Move your body for both overall and eye health Regular exercise can provide eye health benefits, such as promoting healthy blood vessels and lowering your risk of developing glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reports. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, plus two days of strength training for your muscles. You can also practice eye exercises to reduce tension and eye strain while sitting at your desk. Read more: 7 Fitness Hacks to Sneak in Exercise Painlessly Every Day 5. Get outside as much as possible Children and adults need to get outside often, even if they get their recommended exercise indoors. Research shows that children who spend time outdoors have a lower risk of developing nearsightedness in adolescence and as adults. Playing with your kids at the local playground, walking through the woods or even playing in the backyard can help the whole family stay healthy and active. Be sure to use your sunglasses. 6. Quit smoking It's well known that smoking is bad for your health. It can also increase your risk of developing eye diseases like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Smokers have a two- or three-times higher chance of developing cataracts and up to four times higher risk for AMD. Future research may determine if smoking cigarettes can also cause glaucoma, Graves' eye disease, thyroid eye disease and encourage diabetic retinopathy onset or progression. To improve your health, build a quit plan. Getty Images 7. Eat balanced meals rich in vitamins The foods you eat every day can improve your eye health. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc can help cellular growth, lower eye tissue inflammation and limit free radicals that can damage your eyes. To get the right nutrients for your eyes, eat balanced meals by including some of these foods in your regular diet, as recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology: Vitamin A and beta-carotene: Apricots, carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, red pepper, ricotta cheese, mango Apricots, carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, red pepper, ricotta cheese, mango Vitamin C: Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell pepper Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell pepper Vitamin E: Avocados, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ, sunflower seeds Avocados, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ, sunflower seeds Omega-3: Halibut, sardines, salmon, tuna, trout Halibut, sardines, salmon, tuna, trout Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Collards, broccoli, eggs, peas, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, turnip greens Collards, broccoli, eggs, peas, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, turnip greens Zinc: Lima beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, lean red meats, oysters, fortified cereals, poultry Read more: Best Vitamins and Supplements for Eye Health 8. Avoid rubbing your eyes Habitually rubbing your eyes could cause eye damage or infections. Dry eyes and eye strain can make you want to rub your eyes, and some may rub them too much or too hard. This can lead to issues such as reduced or blurry vision, headaches, inflammation and eye and light sensitivity. Another reason to avoid eye rubbing is that bacteria or viruses on your fingers or hands could lead to conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye. Instead of rubbing your eyes, use eye drops or saline to clean your eyes and keep them moist. Resist the urge and find something else to keep your hands busy until you undo the habit. 9. Wash your hands before touching your face or eyes You should always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes and handling contact lenses. Almost 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, and around one in three wearers develop complications, with one in five infections from contact lenses causing corneal damage. Plus, there's no telling what germs might have already contaminated an object you've touched. The CDC reports that washing your hands regularly can lower your risk of respiratory illness by up to 20% and diarrheal illness by up to 30%. 10. Take off your makeup at the end of the day After a long day, the last thing you might think about is removing your eye makeup before you get into bed. Doing so benefits your eye health and can lower your risk of blepharitis or eyelid inflammation, according to the Optometrists Network. You should also adopt good makeup practices that can save your skin and eyes, such as only using products made for eyes, replacing your makeup often (especially after an eye infection), not applying eye makeup in the inner lids and never sharing eye makeup. If you use brushes or sponges to apply eye makeup, wash them regularly.
CNET
25-06-2025
- Health
- CNET
10 Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy As You Age
Summer has arrived, bringing sunny days and a higher danger from UV rays than any other time of year. You might be used to slathering on sunscreen to protect your skin, but have you been protecting your eyes as well? We only get one pair of eyes, but protecting them isn't always top of mind for many of us. From overuse, to UV rays, our eyes are at risk of damage everyday. Thankfully, there are plenty of easy ways to keep them healthy. 1. Wear sunglasses to block UV light Exposing your eyes to ultraviolet rays may cause damage over time. Wearing sunglasses can block harmful UV light, lowering your risk of eye diseases like cataracts, sunburn, eye cancer and growths around the eye, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Polarized glasses with smoke or gray lenses may offer the best protection against the sun's rays and reduce glare. Read more: Best Prescription Sunglasses 2. Take screen breaks every 20 minutes Prolonged screen time can cause dry eyes, pain in the neck and shoulders, blurred vision, headaches and digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome. The American Optometric Association recommends using the 20-20-20 rule to prevent computer vision syndrome. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 3. Take book breaks, too Screen time isn't the only way to strain your eyes. When you read a book, you probably hold it up close for long periods. Both activities can lead to nearsightedness, or myopia, which means faraway objects are blurry, while up-close objects are clear. Just like you should use the 20-20-20 rule to take screen breaks, you should also use this rule for book breaks. If you find yourself engrossed in what you're reading or doing on the computer, set an alarm so you don't miss your breaks.4. Move your body for both overall and eye health Regular exercise can provide eye health benefits, such as promoting healthy blood vessels and lowering your risk of developing glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reports. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, plus two days of strength training for your muscles. You can also practice eye exercises to reduce tension and eye strain while sitting at your desk. Read more: 7 Fitness Hacks to Sneak in Exercise Painlessly Every Day 5. Get outside as much as possible Children and adults need to get outside often, even if they get their recommended exercise indoors. Research shows that children who spend time outdoors have a lower risk of developing nearsightedness in adolescence and as adults. Playing with your kids at the local playground, walking through the woods or even playing in the backyard can help the whole family stay healthy and active. Be sure to use your sunglasses. 6. Quit smoking It's well known that smoking is bad for your health. It can also increase your risk of developing eye diseases like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Smokers have a two- or three-times higher chance of developing cataracts and up to four times higher risk for AMD. Future research may determine if smoking cigarettes can also cause glaucoma, Graves' eye disease, thyroid eye disease and encourage diabetic retinopathy onset or progression. To improve your health, build a quit plan. Getty Images 7. Eat balanced meals rich in vitamins The foods you eat every day can improve your eye health. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc can help cellular growth, lower eye tissue inflammation and limit free radicals that can damage your eyes. To get the right nutrients for your eyes, eat balanced meals by including some of these foods in your regular diet, as recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology: Vitamin A and beta-carotene: Apricots, carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, red pepper, ricotta cheese, mango Apricots, carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, red pepper, ricotta cheese, mango Vitamin C: Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell pepper Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell pepper Vitamin E: Avocados, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ, sunflower seeds Avocados, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ, sunflower seeds Omega-3: Halibut, sardines, salmon, tuna, trout Halibut, sardines, salmon, tuna, trout Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Collards, broccoli, eggs, peas, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, turnip greens Collards, broccoli, eggs, peas, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, turnip greens Zinc: Lima beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, lean red meats, oysters, fortified cereals, poultry Read more: Best Vitamins and Supplements for Eye Health 8. Avoid rubbing your eyes Habitually rubbing your eyes could cause eye damage or infections. Dry eyes and eye strain can make you want to rub your eyes, and some may rub them too much or too hard. This can lead to issues such as reduced or blurry vision, headaches, inflammation and eye and light sensitivity. Another reason to avoid eye rubbing is that bacteria or viruses on your fingers or hands could lead to conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye. Instead of rubbing your eyes, use eye drops or saline to clean your eyes and keep them moist. Resist the urge and find something else to keep your hands busy until you undo the habit. 9. Wash your hands before touching your face or eyes You should always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes and handling contact lenses. Almost 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, and around one in three wearers develop complications, with one in five infections from contact lenses causing corneal damage. Plus, there's no telling what kinds of germs might have already contaminated an object you've touched. Washing your hands regularly can lower your risk of respiratory illness by up to 20% and diarrheal illness by up to 30%, the CDC reports. 10. Take off your makeup at the end of the day After a long day, the last thing you might think about is removing your eye makeup before you get into bed. Doing so benefits your eye health and can lower your risk of blepharitis or eyelid inflammation, according to the Optometrists Network. You should also adopt good makeup practices that can save your skin and eyes, such as only using products made for eyes, replacing your makeup often (especially after an eye infection), not applying eye makeup in the inner lids and never sharing eye makeup. If you use brushes or sponges to apply eye makeup, wash them regularly.
Los Angeles Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Smart Screens Are Supporting Eye Health, Preventing Burnout, and Boosting Creativity
LA Times Studios may earn commission from purchases made through our links. You're doomscrolling again. Somewhere between your fifth news alert and your 40th Instagram Story, your eyes start to sting. You're not sure if you're tired, anxious, overstimulated, or all of the above. And you're definitely not alone. Welcome to the age of screen fatigue. According to the latest Reuters Institute Digital News Report, 39% of Americans are actively avoiding the news, a three-point jump from just a year ago. Not because they're tuning out, but because they're maxed out. It's not apathy. It's emotional survival. This is what happens when our screens outpace our capacity to engage with them. As Healthy Vision Month arrives this May, it's a good time to ask: What if the solution to screen fatigue isn't disconnecting, but redesigning the experience entirely? If you've ever rubbed your eyes during a video call or felt fried after back-to-back scrolls, you're not imagining things. Eye strain is real, and so is the toll it's taking on our focus, energy, and emotional bandwidth. The American Optometric Association says more than 50% of people who spend over three hours a day on screens experience Computer Vision Syndrome: a cluster of symptoms that includes blurry vision, headaches, dry eyes, and fatigue. 'There's a well-documented link between extended screen time and visual fatigue, which has become a near-universal issue for people working and living in front of digital devices,' says George Toh, Vice President and General Manager of Lenovo's Visuals Business. He's not anti-screen, just pro-awareness. 'With so much of our daily life spent in front of screens, being intentional about how we use them (and for how long) is key to avoiding their impact,' he explains. Toh recommends starting small: implement the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds), and take stock of your setup. 'Adjust your viewing distance, optimize angles and posture, reduce glare. These changes sound simple, but they add up fast,' he says. He's also quick to point out that many devices now offer built-in wellness features. 'We're seeing more screens with posture nudges, break reminders, and adaptive settings, but building your own habits is still the most important first step.' Not long ago, screen innovation meant higher resolution, faster refresh rates, and deeper contrast. All great for visual performance, but what about the user? 'Today's users expect displays to be intuitive and support comfort, wellness, and long-term usability,' says Toh. That shift has pushed display makers like Lenovo to rethink the fundamentals, starting with the eyes. 'Displays are now being built with anti-glare coatings and low blue light technology,' he notes. 'A lot of premium monitors are certified to meet international standards like Eyesafe and TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort, which ensure low strain without compromising visual quality.' It's not just about what's on the screen, it's how the screen fits into your physical space. 'We've moved from an era when the user adjusts to the monitor to one where the monitor adjusts to the user,' says Toh. Height, tilt, and swivel adjustments are now the norm on professional-grade displays. Toh believes that the future of screen innovation is all about digital resilience, the ability to use technology in a way that supports physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being over time. 'At its core, digital resilience is about helping people engage with their digital environment in a safe, healthy, and sustainable way,' he explains. This means adaptive screens that respond to your lighting, your activity, and even your posture. 'We already have displays that use ambient sensors to adjust brightness, and presence detectors that power down when you walk away,' says Toh. But the next wave is even more personalized. 'Soon, we'll see displays that shift color temperature throughout the day, cooler in the morning, warmer in the evening, to align with our circadian rhythms,' he says. 'And AI will allow screens to learn your habits: optimizing contrast, lowering refresh rates for reading, bumping them up for gaming.' In other words, your screen will know when you need to wind down before you do. If you're worried that an 'eye-friendly' screen means sacrificing vibrancy or sharpness, Toh is happy to prove otherwise. 'The beauty of recent innovations in display technology is that we no longer see a trade-off between high engagement and good health; we can have both,' he says. Toh explains that when visual comfort is dialed in (accurate color, minimal flicker, reduced blue light), it actually enhances productivity and focus. 'High-quality visuals naturally pull users into the task at hand,' he says. 'And when you're not straining or distracted by discomfort, you stay in the creative zone longer.' Comfort, in this case, isn't just physical. It's mental. 'When a user is physically at ease, they're more likely to stay engaged and spark creativity,' says Toh. 'That's where performance and well-being intersect.' We're heading into a future where your monitor isn't just a tool, it's part of your wellness ecosystem. 'We now have displays that are flexible, curved, and adjustable for different workflows,' says Toh. 'But what's really exciting is how AI and sensors will allow these screens to sync with your environment—and with you.' Imagine a setup where your screen, chair, desk, and even wearable devices work together to improve your posture, recommend breaks, or reduce eye strain automatically. 'In a decade, these features could be standard,' Toh predicts. 'Monitors will learn from your behavior and respond to your needs without you lifting a finger.' The goal isn't more tech, it's smarter, kinder tech. We're not getting fewer screens any time soon. But we can make them work better for our eyes, our mood, and our creativity. 'A display designed with well-being in mind helps users stay focused on what matters most—whether you're a creative professional or a casual user,' Toh says. And in a world where our devices are with us from the moment we wake to the moment we sleep, that kind of design isn't a luxury. It's a necessity. In a world where screens are non-negotiable, the real game-changer isn't logging off, it's leveling up. So instead of fearing burnout or dodging notifications, take a beat. Reset your relationship with your screens. Because clarity, on your screen and in your mind, starts with seeing things differently. Click here to learn more about Lenovo
Voice of America
24-02-2025
- Health
- Voice of America
Experts Provide Tips for Avoiding Computer-linked Vision Trouble
Computer, or digital, screens are common at work, homes, schools, and stores. An estimated 104 million Americans of working age spend more than seven hours a day in front of screens, the American Optometric Association says. All that screen time can cause harm. Too much screen viewing can lead to dry or watery eyes, unclear vision and headaches. It can also lead to vision conditions including myopia, or nearsightedness, especially in children. Some technology workers even describe short times of dizziness or vertigo when they look at screens for too long. However, exposure to blue light from digital screens has not been shown to cause permanent eye damage, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says. Overworked eyes One reason for the screen-linked vision problems lies in the eye muscles. Staring closely at screens for long amounts of time can cause the muscle used for eye focus to become too tense, or tight. 'That muscle's not supposed to stay tight all day long. And if it does, it's like picking up a light weight and trying to hold it over your head for hours,' American Optometric Association President Steven Reed told the Associated Press (AP). It is not hard to lift, he said, 'But after a while, even though it's not a heavy lift, your body just gets tired,' he added. The vision problems can affect work, family time and rest. As an optometrist in Mississippi, Reed sees people who are experiencing eye pain, headaches and unclear vision linked with computer use. He suggests that people with such problems get an eye examination and take regular breaks from screen viewing. Here are some more tips from eye health professionals to reduce eye strain caused by devices. Follow the 20-20-20 rule Take a break every 20 minutes from looking at a computer. During the break, focus your eyes on something that is about 20 feet away (6 meters) for 20 seconds. This will help ease tired, tight eye muscles. 'Luckily, eye strain is temporary,' said Raj Maturi, an eye doctor, or ophthalmologist, at Midwest Eye Institute in Indianapolis and spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 'The best way to avoid these symptoms is by taking breaks from our screens or near work activities and using lubricating eye drops, if needed,' he said. People normally close their eyes very briefly about 18 to 22 times per minute. This helps lubricate the eye naturally. But when looking at a screen, people might close their eyes only three to seven times per minute, the Cleveland Clinic says. That is when use of eye drops might be considered. Change your desk setup Some people find that using a larger computer screen helps reduce eye tiredness, or fatigue. You can also increase the image size on your laptop, monitor or smartphone screen. Sitting an arm's length away from your screen and looking down at it also can help reduce eye strain, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says. Product claims Some products for computer users, such as blue light glasses, are marketed with claims that they will reduce eye strain, improve sleep and prevent eye disease. But several studies have found the glasses are not very effective, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The group says it is how people use digital devices that causes problems, not the blue light coming from screens. Extracurricular optics Even after stepping away from work on larger computers, many adults find themselves using smaller digital devices for reading or watching shows. And many children use small digital devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones in school. Ayesha Malik of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said that too much screen time or focusing on nearby objects can speed development of nearsightedness, especially in children. She added that anyone watching shows should do so on a television, instead of a tablet, to help avoid eye strain. Children should follow the 20-20-20-2 rule, she said. The added '2' stands for 2 hours of play outside every day, which helps with eye development, Malik said. 'The reality is that most children are engaging with screens throughout the day at school and home. It becomes difficult to track the total number of hours,' she said. 'Aim for not more than 20 minutes during any one session.' Sleeping soundly The blue light that digital screens release can increase a person's alertness, experts say. As a result, their use might make it difficult to fall asleep or sleep well. To give your eyes and brain the rest they need, doctors suggest turning off screens one to two hours before going to sleep. You can also change the setting on digital devices to lower screen brightness. If you are used to watching videos at night, try listening to an audiobook or podcast instead. I'm Anna Matteo. And I'm John Russell. Cathy Bussewitz reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. _____________________________________________________ Words in This Story focus – v. to adjust the point of concentration of the eye optometrist – n. a health care professional who examines and treats the eye for problems engage – v. to give attention to something, to participate lubricate – v. to apply something that lessens or prevents difficulty or friction fatigue – n. tiredness or exhaustion from exertion or stress progression – n. the action or process of developing (or progressing)
