At Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley, we understand
that in today’s digital world, using cell phones (and more recently in the past
few years – smart phones) consume a large amount of our time. Our phone tells
us what time it is, gives us directions, takes pictures, and entertains us in a
number of ways. It provides us with apps of all types – from cooking to
exercising to shopping. It teaches us skills, and even allows us to upload information
and pictures directly to the Internet.
In recent years, however, research has found that people who read text messages
or surf the Internet via their cell phones tend to hold these devices much closer
than they would a book or newspaper, and as a result, are making their eyes
work harder than usual. The combination of the closer distance, along with the
smaller font size on the smartphone, can put added strain on those who already
wear glasses or contact lenses, according to a study in Optometry and
Vision Science. The study’s co-author and professor at the SUNY
State College of Optometry in New York City, Dr. Mark Rosenfield, explains that
when your eyes have to work harder, you may suffer from headaches and
eyestrain. Other risks include dry eye, discomfort and blurred vision.
The study found that when reading printed text in newspapers
or books, the average working distance was 16 inches from the eyes, but for those
reading text messages it was an average of 14 inches (some were even as close as
7 inches!). When viewing a web page, the average distance was 12.6 inches.
There is,
however, a simple way for smartphone users to minimize eyestrain: increase the
font size on your device. For those users who frequently read on tablet devices
such as the iPad or Kindle, this suggestion is particularly important. When
using any digital screen, you may want to try using the Veranda
12-point font, which is specifically designed for use on computers.
Site
for Sore Eyes Berkeley would also like to remind you of the 20/20/20
rule when looking at a computer monitor. After every 20 minutes of looking at a
computer screen, take at least a 20-second break and look at objects 20 feet in
the distance. Having a comprehensive eye exam is also important for preventing
and treating computer vision problems. According to the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health, computer users should have an eye exam before
they start working on a computer and once a year thereafter.
So next time you’re using your smartphone, tablet, or even
computer – be sure to use the tips listed above to help keep your eyes safe!
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