Staring at screens for more than 2 hours a day affects vision

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Tuesday 12 Jan 2016 - 20:15 Makkah mean time-2-4-1437 Washington, (IINA) - Medical experts have recently warned of ‘digital eye strain’ (DES), which is caused by staring at a digital screen for a period longer than two hours in a daily routine, Daily Mail reported. According to a report from the Vision Council, symptoms include dry, irritated eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, headaches, neck and back pain. The experts warned that 65 percent of citizens in the U.S suffered from DES. Furthermore, 90 percent of patients fail to talk to their optician about the extent of their digital use. DES is commonly associated with close- to mid-range distance of digital screens, including desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, and e-readers. A 2015 study analyzed data from a Vision Watch survey of more than 10,000 adults, and it found that 8 out of every 10 people use two or more devices simultaneously. Furthermore, 96 percent of people with DES spend at least two hours a day on their devices. The report determined that a combination of factors foster the onset of DES. Prolonged periods of technology use may exacerbate symptoms of eyestrain. The proximity of the screen, the frequency and duration of use and the degree of exposure to high-energy visible or blue light emitted by video screens were also determined to play a role. Mike Daley, CEO of The Vision Council, a trade organization for the optical industry, said: “When using technology, many people think suffering from digital eye strain is unavoidable, but it doesn't have to be”. “The optical industry has responded to the shift in digital habits and has developed lens technology to protect eyes from blue light, glare, and other environmental stressors”. He noted that these lenses were commonly referred to as computer glasses. They are constructed specifically for the mid-distance range at which users typically view a digital screen, and they can be purchased without a prescription. He pointed out that such lenses are customized to reduce blurriness and pixilation, decrease brightness, block blue light and minimize glare while working in front of one or more screens. AG/IINA