iPads, iPhones, eye strain
The pandemic and working from home have taken a toll on Americans' eyesight.
If you’re a parent you’ve probably been asking your child to reduce their device time and try to get outside once in a while. Part of that concern is seeing them stare at a screen all day and wondering how it is affecting their eyesight. But what about the rest of us? How has the pandemic and working from home affected our eyesight?
A new survey from My Vision decided it was time to look at (no pun intended) the issue and surveyed more than 1,000 people who wear glasses or contacts to get some feedback on their eye health.
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The results show that technology has taken over workplaces in America. Almost one in four (38%) say they spend more than eight hours a day looking at screens for their jobs. That comes with a cost. Twenty-nine percent say they feel that working from home has made their eyesight worse, while others are facing issues such as eye strain, fatigue, headaches, and trouble sleeping. One of out three said their eyes have started twitching while looking at screens. Blue light glasses can help, and 30% say they use them or are planning to buy a pair soon.
Also, two out of five people admit their eyesight has gotten worse since the beginning of the pandemic. But of those with eye issues, many are not ready to seek help. In fact, one out of three people admitted to not getting their eyes checked, and 25% say they’ve actually avoided getting an eye test despite knowing they need one.
Masks have also impacted how people wear glasses. More than one in 10 (13%) say they wear contacts now instead of glasses, purely because of having to wear masks. Meanwhile, 25% of respondents say they wear their glasses more because of remote work.
Unfortunately, the problems don’t end at work. In addition to long screen use at work, people are adding to that strain by also looking at screens in their free time. Twenty-seven percent of people estimate they spend an additional five or more hours each day looking at screens for personal use. Seventy-nine percent admit to juggling multiple screens at once; meaning they’re watching TV and looking at their phone at the same time.
Some health care professionals recommend the 20-20-20 rule to relieve eye strain. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on something that is 20 feet away. Do it for at least 20 seconds to give your eyes a break.
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