Category → Adult Vision Health
How to reduce “smart phone squint”
Young Woman Texting by Petr Kratochvil
Do you spend hours every day staring at your smart phone, texting, reading, playing games and browsing websites? Do you often suffer from headaches, dry or tired eyes, blurred vision or focusing problems after doing so?
If this sounds familiar, you could be suffering from “smart phone squint,” a condition that can cause the same symptoms as computer vision syndrome, as well as (gasp!) fine lines and wrinkles!
Studies have shown that people tend to hold their smart phone about four inches closer to their eyes than they would hold a newspaper or book. This, combined with smaller font sizes, means the eyes must work harder to focus on the text, which ultimately leads to eye strain.
While there is no evidence that reading from a smart phone causes permanent damage to the eyes, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the strain:
Hold the phone an arm’s length away from your eyes.
- Increase the font size on your device, especially if you will be reading for a sustained period. Many devices have a digital magnifier, or you can search for apps that may help magnify the screen. Load web pages in “landscape” mode.
- Take frequent breaks so your eyes can relax. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Turn down the brightness on your device and reduce the glare on your screen. Don’t use your phone to read in any place you wouldn’t normally read a book.
- Try to save the majority of your web-browsing for when you have access to a regular computer screen. The less time you spend staring at a tiny screen, the better. At the least, consider a larger, touch screen phone.
Do you suffer from “smart phone squint?” Let me know your experiences and what you do to avoid the “smart phone squint.”
Watch out for pink eye during cold and flu season
Here we are, in the heart of the cold and flu season. But there is another infection to be on the lookout for during the winter months – Pink Eye.
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a common bothersome, but usually harmless, eye disease typically caused by viruses (such as those responsible for the common cold), bacteria, allergens or other irritants, such as chemicals.
In simple terms, conjunctivitis is an inflammation (-itis) of the thin membrane (conjunctiva) covering the white of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. Infection causes the small blood vessels to become irritated and enlarged, giving the eye a red or pink appearance.
I can see fine…why do I need an eye exam?
Eye exam time
Blurry vision, red and irritated eyes, and headaches are common symptoms that might prompt a visit to the eye doctor. But what if you can see perfectly fine? Do you still need to get your eyes checked?
Those who wear corrective lenses should visit their eye doctor regularly to update their prescription. But even if your eyes are “perfectly healthy,” it’s a good idea to schedule a comprehensive eye exam to check for potential problems and diseases, which, in their early stages, may not present with any obvious symptoms.
