As many as 50-90% of digital screen users experience some symptoms associated with digital eye strain. Tablets, video games, smartphones, televisions, and computer screens can all contribute to your eyes feeling tired, burning, itching, or watering.
If you’re experiencing ocular discomfort after spending time in front of screens, it’s time to visit the optometrist to discuss your symptoms.
Digital eye strain is the catch-all name for ocular conditions resulting from the use of digital devices. It’s also known as computer vision syndrome. Your eyes work overtime to maintain clarity while viewing digital screens, and discomfort can result from all this extra work.
Some symptoms of digital eye strain include:
These symptoms may also be caused by more serious eye conditions, but a comprehensive eye exam can rule out eye diseases and other problems. Please visit us if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of digital eye strain.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says that children’s use of digital media has increased dramatically. Accompanying this increase in screen time is a rise in obesity rates, poorer sleep quality, and learning delays.
Studies show that the odds of children’s visual issues increase after 2-4 hours of screen time. To prevent digital eye strain and the health problems that can accompany it, kids should take breaks from screens every 30-60 minutes.
Digital devices will likely be with us well into the future. Your eyesight needs to be protected well into the future too! There are a few things you can do to mitigate digital eye strain.
Keep screens approximately at arm’s length from your body. The top of a computer monitor should be at eye level and your keyboard and mouse should be within reach.
Workstation ergonomics should help you keep your head and neck aligned with your torso and your body upright instead of hunched.
For every 20 minutes spent looking at your screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. The 20-20-20 rule can help reduce digital eye strain by giving your eyes a chance to refocus and exercise. Plus, it will help you remember to blink!
Digital device users blink much less often when faced with a screen than when going about other day-to-day activities.
Make an appointment with your optometrist to discuss digital device use for yourself or your child. A comprehensive eye exam can also rule out other eye conditions that might be causing similar symptoms.
Our optometrist at LMC can diagnose and manage conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and digital eye strain.
It’s recommended to have an eye exam in an eye clinic at least once every two years, or annually if you have existing eye conditions or risk factors.
For minor vision issues like 20/40 acuity, contacts are usually an effective choice for correction. Different lenses are available at LMC Optometry for different refractive errors.
Annual eye exams are completely covered by OHIP for children (19 and under) and seniors (65 and older). However, adults aged 20-64 must pay for routine eye exams themselves or use private insurance, as these exams are not covered by OHIP.
You can book an appointment online through the LMC Optometry website or by calling the specific location nearest to you.
You’ll find our Barrie location in the Barrie Primary Care Campus on Bayview Drive.
You’ll find our Bayview location in the CNIB building.
We have moved from King Street to Martha Street where we are on the second floor of the Bolton Professional Building.
You’ll find our Brampton location in SmartCentres Bramport on Bovaird Drive East.
You’ll find our London clinic inside the Oxford Health Centre on the fourth floor.
Visit our Ottawa location in Cedarview Square off Tartan Drive.
Come by our beautiful Richmond Hill location on Tower Hill Road just down from William Neal Community Park. We’re right between Tower Hill-Bathurst Animal Hospital and Aviva Nails, and there’s lots of parking available. Now offering vision therapy.
Come by our beautiful Richmond Hill location on Tower Hill Road just down from William Neal Community Park. We’re right between Tower Hill-Bathurst Animal Hospital and Aviva Nails, and there’s lots of parking available.
You’ll find our Scarborough location in the Ellesmere medical building.
LMC Thornhill Optometric Centre is located in the Tim Horton’s plaza, just off Steeles Avenue West.
You’ll find our Barrie location in the Barrie Primary Care Campus on Bayview Drive.
You’ll find our Bayview location in the CNIB building.
We have moved from King Street to Martha Street where we are on the second floor of the Bolton Professional Building.
You’ll find our Brampton location in SmartCentres Bramport on Bovaird Drive East.
You’ll find our London clinic inside the Oxford Health Centre on the fourth floor.
Visit our Ottawa location in Cedarview Square off Tartan Drive.
Come by our beautiful Richmond Hill location on Tower Hill Road just down from William Neal Community Park. We’re right between Tower Hill-Bathurst Animal Hospital and Aviva Nails, and there’s lots of parking available. Now offering vision therapy.
Come by our beautiful Richmond Hill location on Tower Hill Road just down from William Neal Community Park. We’re right between Tower Hill-Bathurst Animal Hospital and Aviva Nails, and there’s lots of parking available.
You’ll find our Scarborough location in the Ellesmere medical building.
LMC Thornhill Optometric Centre is located in the Tim Horton’s plaza, just off Steeles Avenue West.
“Service is always fast. Staff are friendly. Dr. Blackstein has taken excellent care of me since I began seeing him.”
Lori Cutler – Vaughn
“The Optometrist explained everything to us and did a very thorough exam. She was very helpful and patient, and answered all of our questions.”
Deborah Cormack – Barrie
“Staff was happy and friendly. It was a pleasure to see, think I will return in a year for another check up.”
Michael Kondring – Barrie
“Dr M Sher was really good.”
Jim Gray – Vaughn
“Very good customer service.”
Johnny Geniole – Barrie
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