Lately, it would be difficult to find someone not on some sort of mobile device. In truth, these devices are wonderful, because they let us stay in touch with whoever we want no matter where we are. However a lot of people hold their phones and tablets right in front of their eyes. Reading like this can really be a strain on your eyes.
Because people tend to hold smart phones so close, our eyes end up working hard, just to look at text and images. It won't come as a shock to know that this can lead to issues, especially for people who already have vision correction such as glasses or contact lenses. If you already wear glasses, holding your phone or tablet too close can make it even harder for your eyes to correct for distance. Eventually, these difficulties can lead to eyestrain and headaches.
But there are more symptoms that can arise. Holding your device too close can make you blink less, which can lead to dry eyes and blurry vision.
What can we do keep our eyes strong, while still using our phones? In order to lessen eyestrain and blurred vision resulting from the use of handheld devices, it is recommended to make the text on your device as big as possible and try to hold your smart phone as far away from your eyes as you can. And don't use your phone too much! If it's been a while, allow your eyes to have a little time away from the screen. If you still experience headaches, you might have presbyopia, and need glasses to correct that. Call us to book an exam, if this is something you're experiencing. We all need technology, but it's important to be smart about how we engage with it, in order to help preserve our vision.
(Clinic is only open on select Sundays)