As our planet becomes increasingly digitised, screens are an unavoidable part of our daily lives. With workstations, smartphones, and tablets, the average Australian spends over seven hours a day looking at digital screens. However, this ongoing exposure can have a serious impact on your binocular vision system, and this can lead to a domino effect of annoying symptoms that permeate productivity and general well-being.
What is Digital Eye Strain
Digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome, is a collection of symptoms that appear as a consequence of prolonged screen time. In contrast to printed reading matter, digital screens introduce unique challenges to our visual system in the form of blue light emission, pixelated images, and the tendency to blink less frequently when interacting with screens.
The condition becomes particularly difficult when there are pre-existing binocular vision issues. The screens demand precise eye coordination for extensive amounts of time, adding to the burden on already defective vision systems. This union can transform mild binocular vision dysfunction into debilitating daily symptoms.
How Screens Affect Binocular Vision
Electronic equipment tests your binocular vision system in a number of ways. Constant refocusing between keyboard and screen, convergence at predetermined distances for hours at a stretch, and dealing with rapidly shifting visual data all require prolonged eye coordination.
Screen viewing typically occurs at intermediate ranges, closer than driving but further than traditional reading. The resulting work distance requires advanced convergence and accommodation abilities that can reveal inherent binocular vision shortcomings. Additionally, the blue light emitted by screens can disrupt normal focusing processes so that eye coordination becomes even harder.
The reduced blink rate in screen use makes these problems worse. Normal blinking re-establishes eye alignment and provides a resting period for muscles between focusing attempts. When we read screens, we decrease our blink rates by as much as 60%, eliminating these periods of recovery.
Determining Binocular Vision Symptoms of Screen Use
Digital eye strain symptoms will look exactly like binocular vision dysfunction symptoms, so proper diagnosis is necessary. Some typical symptoms include:
- Headaches that either develop or worsen with screen use
- Double or fuzzy vision after computer use
- Having a hard time concentrating when switching between screen and far away
- Eye fatigue that lingers after screen breaks
- Neck and shoulder tension from repetitive posturing to obtain clear vision
- Sensitivity to light, particularly fluorescent light, elevated
- Trouble with concentration on prolonged computer tasks
These symptoms may initially appear only with prolonged screen use but may increasingly occur with shorter exposure durations as the condition progresses.
The Workplace Impact
For white-collar professionals, left untreated, digital eye strain combined with binocular vision issues can have a profound effect on career performance. Productivity decreases as visual discomfort accumulates during the course of the day. Professionals are often forced to avoid computer-related tasks or take frequent breaks that disrupt work flow.
Remote workers also face higher difficulties, usually with poor lighting or working with dual monitors without good positioning. Poor natural movement and viewing distance, as in typical offices, is likely to contribute to binocular vision discomfort.
Online learners suffer similarly, with the added pressure of study deadlines and extended study time. Poor visual comfort can actually impair learning and academic performance.
Solution through Effective Management
To manage digital eye strain, environmental adjustments and changes in behaviour are necessary. The 20-20-20 rule is a basis for screen hygiene: look at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes for a minimum of 20 seconds. This very simple habit gives your focusing and convergence systems a reset.
Screens must be positioned properly to substantially reduce binocular vision strain. Position monitors at arm’s length with the top of the monitor at or below eye level. This reduces convergence demands whilst permitting comfortable neck alignment.
Lighting modifications can be a benefit too. Reduce screen brightness to levels consistent with room illumination, eliminate window or overhead lighting glare, and consider blue light filtering glasses or screen covers. Such modifications relieve your entire amount of stress from your visual system.
When Symptoms Indicate Fundamental Issues
Although everyone experiences some digital eye strain, chronic or repeated symptoms may indicate underlying binocular vision dysfunction. Symptoms occurring within 30 minutes of screen use, difficulty returning to comfortable vision upon return from screen breaks, or symptoms affecting non-screen activities necessitate extensive binocular vision assessment.
Children experiencing difficulties with online school, refusing computer assignments, or complaining of headaches due to tablet use may have had previously undetected convergence or focusing disorders that screen time revealed.
Adults whose symptoms affect work performance or persist even after adopting habits of screen hygiene should be professionally evaluated.
Professional Solutions
We at Microprism Vision understand that modern life requires a lot of time spent in front of screens. Our comprehensive binocular vision screenings can determine whether your symptoms of digital eye strain are due to environmental factors, underlying eye conditions, or a combination of both.
Treatment may include customised computer glasses, eye coordination training in vision therapy, or adaptive settings to accommodate your own visual needs. By addressing the root causes rather than merely masking symptoms, we can make you visually comfortable for your digital day.
