Many of us have experienced eye discomfort and vision problems after using digital screens for extended periods, but what are the exact causes of this irritation?
The light given off by backlit screens and LEDs differs from traditional light sources as it includes more blue-light, allowing for a full spectrum of colors to be displayed. Although this addition of blue-light is newer to us and we are exposed to it more than ever, it is still minimal compared to the amount of blue-light given off by our sun. This highlights the importance of sunwear for daliy use and leaves us wondering what more we can do to alleviate the eye strain following a long day of digital device use.
Uncorrected vision problems like farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia, which inhibit the eye’s ability to focus properly, can significantly contribute to visual symptoms when using a tablet or smart phone. Simply visiting your eye doctor regularly and staying dillegent to keep your eyeglass prescription updated can solve most issues related to focusing, eye strain and fatigue. However, in the case of persistent computer and digital device use throughout the day, there are additonal lens options that can be included in your presciption to alleviate Digital Eye Strain and improve visual comfort at the end of a long day.
Depending on the patient’s preference of the appearance of their lenses, a variety of blue-light fitering options can be recommended. Some technologies have a residual color as a result of the mechanism of their action. Essentially, harmful blue-light can either be absorbed, leaving a slight yellow tint as blue-light is filtered out, or the same blue-light can be reflected back away from the lenses, which appears as a violet/blue reflection that can be observed by others. Patients wearing these lenses do not experience a dramatic change in the color of their observed environment, especially after a period of adaptation.
Lens technologies that absorb blue-light are currently more efficient (~40%) at blocking out these wavelengths (455nm) than their blue-light reflecting counterparts (~20%). The two technologies I am referencing respectively are:
- BluTech – Blue light blocking lenses that are available in a variety of tint intensites to fit your specific needs.
- Crizal Prevencia – A type of anti-reflectve coating tuned specifically to reflect away blue-light.
Our opticians are equipt with the knowledge to discuss these various options and help you make an informed decision about which technology is the best fit for you. Stop in to check out our demo lenses and chat about the importance of addressing this issue early on in the digital era.
Author Joshua L Scarbrough Josh has been working at Scarbrough Family Care for five years and grew up watching the practice grow. He lives with his bandmates and can be found playing music around town on the weekends. He also enjoys backpacking and being outdoors.