Of our five senses, humans rely on vision most strongly. Our everyday experience of the world is colored by our ability to see, our memory draws heavily upon visual information, and many activities of daily living are challenging without sight. As a result, it is essential to protect your eyes from damage. Regular visits to an eye care provider allow you to receive a professional eye exam that checks for damage due to inadequate eye protection.
The blue light coming off our favorite screens is extremely difficult for the human eye to focus, which causes our eyes to work overtime to try and process it which can lead to headaches, tired eyes, and blurry vision. Americans are spending more time than ever in front of screens. From checking email on smartphones to staring at a computer screen in your office to watching TV in the evenings, too much screen use can cause eye strain. Experts recommend taking at least five minutes per hour to relax your eyes and alleviate strain. Go for a brief walk or focus on distant objects to reduce eye strain before returning to the task at hand. With so much screen time in today’s world, our eyes are being exposed to an unprecedented amount of high-energy blue light which is emitted from devices like smartphones, tablets, TVs, and even CFL and LED lights. Blue light has caused a huge increase in digital eyestrain not only in adults, but also children. According to a new study by the Vision Service Plan, by the time the average American child reaches age 17, their eyes will have spent the equivalent of nearly six years looking at digital devices. Ask the doctors and knowledgeable staff at Dr. Landrio's office about ways to protect your family's eyes from harmful blue light.
It is easy for eyes to become damaged by windy conditions, blowing dust, air pollutants, and other small particles in the air. When facing dusty or windy conditions, eye drops or safety glasses can protect your eyes from damage. Contact wearers should opt for glasses to prevent particles from irritating the surface of your eyes. Whenever possible, stay indoors on very windy or dusty days to prevent eye damage. If your eyes become very irritated, visit the eye doctor for a thorough optometry exam and treatment recommendations.
In general, the best policy is to avoid taking chances with your eye health. Wear proper protection when heading outside, playing sports, and working with dangerous tools or chemicals. Your eyes are designed to last a lifetime; treat them well, and you can avoid major vision problems that affect everyday life.