Does Computer Screen Use Cause Myopia?

Myopia (nearsightedness) affects 40% of North Americans with a staggering growth rate over the past two decades that has qualified the condition as a global epidemic. Myopia is projected to affect 58% of the population by 2050. The recent spike in myopia cases has spurred research into the effects of computer screens, and the blue light they emit, on our eye. Learn more about what myopia is, how computer exposure is connected to the condition, and how you can prevent it to protect one of your essential senses.

Contact Visionary Eye Doctors, to learn how to safeguard your eyesight with responsible myopia management. Call us today at (301) 591-1763.

What Is Myopia?

Myopia is not an eye disease but an eye-focusing disorder. It is caused by the inability of the eye to refract or bend light as it should. Instead, light from a distant object forms an image before it reaches the retina. This refractive error causes blurry vision of distant objects while keeping near objects clear. Myopia occurs when either the eye is too long or the cornea is too steep. Untreated myopia can lead to headaches, eye discomfort, and a further decline in vision. Myopia’s growing prevalence has made it a real public health issue for the world to confront.

Computer Screen Exposure Puts You at Risk for Developing Myopia

According to a recent study from the American Optometric Association, those who clock considerable hours working/reading from a computer screen, or engaging in other close visual activities, have been shown to be more likely to develop vision problems like myopia. This is especially true in children who engage in excessive screen time before the age of 10 when the eye is still developing. The quantity of time spent in front of digital devices at close range, coupled with the blue light of digital devices and LED screens, is what can ultimately cause permanent damage to eye health. 

While the eye can block many damaging UV light rays, blue light is able to pass straight through the lens and cornea to the retina and light-sensitive nerves, degrading the macular pigment in the eye. This damage leads to macular degeneration and ultimately blindness.

While macular degeneration is commonly seen in American adults 40 years and older, health professionals predict that many more of the younger generation will develop macular degeneration at an accelerated rate due to electronic devices. Glaucoma, dry eyes, and other degenerative diseases can also stem from too much exposure.

Do Blue Light Blocking Glasses Help Prevent Digital Eyestrain?

72% of our population is unaware of the dangers of blue light despite its newfound prevalence. Specialized blue light-blocking lenses and eyeglasses can offer you protection from dangerous blue light exposure, but they shouldn’t be used as a stand-alone approach.

To mitigate the risks associated with prolonged exposure to blue light, consider incorporating the 20-20-20 rule into your daily routine. This rule advises that for every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, you should look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This practice helps to reduce eye fatigue by giving your eyes a chance to rest. It is especially crucial during consecutive hours of screen use, which can occur during long periods of work or gaming. Taking frequent breaks not only lessens the strain on your eyes but also contributes to overall eye health.

Additionally consider reducing screen time, dimming your screen brightness, or installing a matte screen filter. Practicing these healthy habits along with check-ins with a trained optometrist skilled in myopia progression and prevention can offer you the best strategies for success. If schoolwork, a job, or hobbies like social media and video games are exposing you to blue light, consult with your eye doctor on how to protect your eye health. 

Myopia Treatment and Prevention in Rockville with Visionary Eye Doctors

Myopia control, treatment, and prevention strategies can help slow the progression of myopia and in certain situations prevent it from occurring. A combination of health-conscious measures, including lifestyle changes, dual-focus contact lenses, Ortho-K corneal reshaping, and low-dose atropine drops, yield the best results.

Decrease your household’s risk of worsening myopia by engaging the help of our board-certified optometrists at Visionary Eye Doctors in Rockville, MD. Our doctors are skilled at myopia treatment and prevention and possesses a chairside manner that is welcoming to both youth and adults alike.

Call Visionary Eye Doctors in Rockville, MD, at (301) 591-1763 to schedule a myopia evaluation and consultation for improved myopia management.