Digital Eye Strain in Pickering

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A Modern Symptom of a Modern Lifestyle

Did you know that Canadians spend nearly 11 hours a day on a digital device? From computers to tablets to smartphones, our lives have become reliant on technology. Unfortunately, this increase in device use has also increased the uncomfortable symptoms attributed to digital eye strain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of digital eye strain include:

Headaches
Sore neck, shoulders, or back
Blurred or distorted vision
Sore, burning, or itching eyes
Eye fatigue
Watery eyes
Dry eyes
Sensitivity to light
Difficulty concentrating

Although digital eye strain isn’t serious, nor does it cause any long-term problems, these symptoms are similar to those found in other eye conditions. Even if you think your symptoms are linked to eye strain, please still book an eye exam so we can perform a thorough assessment of your eye health and rule out potentially serious causes.

What Causes Digital Eye Strain?

You may think that, because it’s called “digital” eye strain, it has to be related to the devices we use. But digital eye strain is caused by the way we use these devices, not the devices themselves.

Eye strain occurs when your eyes are forced to work harder than they’re used to, such as when focusing on one spot for too long. You can also experience eye strain when you’re:

Reading without pausing
Driving long distances
Straining to see in dim light
Exposed to bright light or glare
Stressed or fatigued

Computer and digital device use is the most common cause of eye strain. Those who work on computers for longer than 2 hours are more likely to experience uncomfortable symptoms. Those with undiagnosed eye conditions, like myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, are also likely to experience eye discomfort with computer use.

How Is Digital Eye Strain Treated?

Digital eye strain can be managed with a few simple lifestyle adjustments:

Relax your eye muscles and take a moment to blink by following the 20-20-20 rule.
Improve your workplace ergonomics to relieve stress on your neck and shoulders.
Adjust your screen’s brightness to match your surroundings.
Set your screen’s contrast to match the light in the room or adjust the room’s light to reduce the contrast with your screen.
Minimize glare on your computer screen by positioning it away from bright lights, like windows.

Book an Appointment

If these changes aren’t providing your eyes with relief, please call us to book an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam as soon as possible to rule out an underlying cause. Even if we discover your symptoms are related to eye strain, we can provide you with a more effective solution.

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Where to Find Us

You can find us in the professional building on Kingston Road between Orchard Valley Court and Valley Farm Road. Our office is Suite 214, adjacent to the Pickering YMCA Employment and Community Services.