Due to current health concerns, many people have switched from going to the office every day to working from home. Many are finding a lot of discomfort and vision problems from the increased digital screen usage. We are spending more time looking at computer screens and digital devices than ever before. The average American spends about 7 hours per day working on computers. So how is this effecting our eyes?
The first thing to consider is are your glasses the correct prescription? Having updated glasses with an appropriate prescription is a good starting point. If your glasses are under or overcorrected, they may be inducing some eyestrain. Additionally, The AOA suggests taking frequent breaks from near work. The 20-20-20 rule should be implemented into your daily work routine which includes looking 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.
When using digital devices or doing near work, we tend to blink less, which causes an increase in symptoms of dry eye. Artificial tears, which can be purchased over the counter, can be used to help relieve symptoms. However, if you feel that you are not getting enough relief from OTC options, there are prescription options available which include Restasis, Xiidra and Cequa. If you would like to further discuss dry eye associated with increased digital device usage or to see if your eyeglass prescription is appropriate, please contact our office at 860-233-2020 to schedule an appointment with one of our eye care specialists.
