Slowing the Damage of Digital Eye Strain
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In this ever growing digital world many of us can't get away from our gadgets-and our eyes are struggling to keep up with the times.
"My vision will be kind of blurry and then later I'll notice I have a headache and it's like, 'oh it's from just doing that' and being so intent looking at that I begin to strain," said Susan Shaffer, who suffers from eye strain.
Over the past couple of years she's gotten into Facebook, playing games online and email.
She finds herself online for up to two hours in one sitting and she's not alone.
A new study shows nearly 70 percent of U.S. adults experience digital eye strain as a result of using computers, tablets and smartphones.
Dr. Erik Barrett says he's starting to see more patients suffering from weak eyes.
"There's a muscle in the eye, muscle of accommodation that helps bring things into focus when you're on your computer or smart phone," he said. "It just gets tired, gets worn out."
Some of us just can't step away from the screen.
For many people, it's their job. If that's you, make sure you're following the 20, 20, 20 rule.
"When you're working on the computer every 20 minutes or so, take a short 20 second break and when you do that just stare off in the distance maybe 20 feet away give those eyes breaks," said Dr. Barrett.
People ages 18-34 reported eye strain at a higher rate, but regardless of your age, the damage doesn't discriminate.