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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)
