Navigating Back-to-School and Beating Digital Eye Strain
The end of summer brings with it the promise of new beginnings as students prepare to navigating school and college. However, the transition from leisurely days to screen-filled classrooms or offices can be taxing on our eyes. Digital eye strain, often referred to as “computer vision syndrome,” is a common concern during this season. In this blog, we’ll explore the causes of digital eye strain and provide valuable tips to help you prevent and manage it. From blue light blocking glasses to eye exercises, we’ve got you covered.
Understanding Digital Eye Strain
Digital eye strain occurs when we spend extended periods staring at digital screens, such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:
Eye fatigue Dry or irritated eyes Blurred vision Headaches Neck and shoulder pain The blue light emitted by screens, coupled with the need to focus intently on text or images, contributes to these uncomfortable symptoms.
Preventing Digital Eye Strain
Adjust Your Screen: Position your screen at eye level, about 20 inches from your eyes. Ensure it’s free from glare or reflections. Tilt your screen slightly downward to reduce strain on your neck.
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break, and look at something at least 20 feet away. This practice helps reduce eye fatigue.
Proper Lighting: Ensure your workspace is well-lit, and avoid working in dark rooms, as this increases eye strain.
Blink Regularly: Blinking moistens your eyes, reducing dryness. Be mindful to blink more often when working on screens.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to prevent eye dryness, which can worsen digital eye strain.
The Role of Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Blue light blocking glasses have gained popularity as an effective tool in combating digital eye strain. Here’s how they work:
Filter Blue Light: Blue light blocking glasses contain special coatings that filter out a portion of blue light emitted by screens.
Reduce Glare: They also minimize glare, making it easier on your eyes when working in brightly lit environments.
Enhance Contrast: By increasing contrast and reducing the strain on your eye muscles, these glasses can improve visual comfort during extended screen time.
Consider consulting an eye care professional to determine the best blue light blocking glasses for your specific needs. They can help you find the right fit and prescription, if necessary.
Eye Exercises for Relief
Incorporating eye exercises into your daily routine can further alleviate digital eye strain. Try the following exercises:
Palming: Rub your hands together to generate heat, then gently cup them over your closed eyes without putting pressure on them. Relax for a minute.
Focus Shifting: Look at an object close to you, then shift your gaze to something farther away. Repeat this several times.
Blinking: Blink rapidly for a few seconds to lubricate your eyes.
Conclusion
Navigating back to school after a relaxing summer break should be a smooth transition, not marred by digital eye strain. By following these tips, including adjusting your workspace, taking breaks, and considering blue light blocking glasses, you can enjoy a productive and comfortable return to your screen-filled routines. Don’t let digital eye strain keep you from excelling in your studies or career; prioritize your eye health and well-being.
Advancements in ophthalmology, particularly LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), have enabled countless individuals to regain clear vision by correcting refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. However, as people age, cataracts may develop, necessitating cataract surgery. Fortunately, cataract surgery after LASIK is a safe and viable option. It is crucial to inform the surgeon about any previous LASIK procedures to ensure accurate lens implant calculations. Here are a few key points to remember:
No Increased Risk of Complications:
Cataract surgery after LASIK does not carry an inherent higher risk of complications. Both LASIK and cataract surgery are well-established and successful procedures, performed by skilled ophthalmologists. However, it is essential for the surgeon to be aware of any prior LASIK surgeries to determine the correct intraocular lens (IOL) power accurately.
Incorporating LASIK in Lens Implant Calculations:
A challenge with cataract surgery after LASIK is accurately determining the appropriate IOL power. LASIK reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors, altering the eye’s optical properties. Conventional IOL power calculation formulas may not provide precise results for those who have undergone LASIK. To overcome this, specialized formulas have been developed that consider the pre-existing corneal changes from LASIK, leading to more accurate calculations and improved outcomes. It is important to know if you have had myopic or hyperopia LASIK. If you don’t know what type of LASIK you had, the surgeon should be able to perform testing to help determine this. This is one reason why having a surgeon who is familiar with LASIK perform your cataract surgery is very important.
Communication with the Surgeon:
Patients considering cataract surgery after LASIK should proactively communicate their LASIK history to their cataract surgeon. Since LASIK procedures may have occurred years ago, this information might not be readily available in medical records. Also, in examining your eye, the LASIK surgery may not be readily apparent without specialized equipment. Providing this information ensures accurate calculations and increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Conclusion:
Cataract surgery after LASIK is a safe and effective option for restoring clear vision. There is no increased risk of complications associated with the two procedures. By communicating past LASIK surgeries to the cataract surgeon, you will have a better surgical outcome. If possible, having the same surgeon that performed your LASIK surgery also perform your cataract surgery would be beneficial. These are just a few keys to successful cataract surgery after LASIK.
Cataract surgery is a relatively straightforward procedure that typically takes about 10 minutes if it is uncomplicated. The recovery time is relatively short, with complete healing taking about four weeks, provided certain precautions are taken.
To ensure a smooth recovery, here are some essential guidelines to follow:
Protect your eyes from sunlight by wearing sunglasses when outdoors, especially during the first few days after surgery, as your eyes will be more sensitive to light.
Use the protective shield over your eye as recommended by your cataract surgeon, even while sleeping, to avoid accidentally rubbing your eyes.
Adhere to the prescribed schedule for antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
Avoid bending over immediately after the procedure to prevent unnecessary pressure on your eye.
Refrain from driving on the first day after cataract surgery.
Avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous activities for the first week following surgery.
Stay away from swimming or using hot tubs during the first week after surgery.
Resist the urge to rub or push on your healing eye, even if it feels itchy, to avoid causing damage.
Protect your eye from grime, dust, dirt, and wind during the initial weeks after surgery by using protective eyewear if necessary.
Schedule a follow-up appointment for the day after your cataract surgery to monitor your recovery progress and identify any potential complications.
Within a few hours after being discharged, you can engage in light activities like watching television or using a computer. Follow the post-operative instructions diligently to ensure the best possible recovery. If both eyes require cataract surgery, the second eye will be operated on after one to two weeks after the first eye.
Cataract removal is a safe and commonly performed procedure, with nearly 3 million surgeries conducted annually in the United States. The vast majority of patients (96%) experience excellent outcomes, achieving at least 20/40 uncorrected distance visual acuity with no complications. However, if you encounter any post-operative issues described here, promptly schedule an appointment with us for immediate treatment.
If you are over 40 and experiencing cloudy or blurry vision, it could be a sign of cataracts.
For further topics on eye-related issues, feel free to explore more about cataracts, glaucoma, cornea and external eye disease, eyelid disorders, macular degeneration, retina diseases, and LASIK on our website and links below;
If you’re looking food that promotes healthy eyes, you’ll be glad to know that the same diet that benefits your heart and overall well-being also supports your eyes. Numerous studies suggest that a diet rich in certain nutrients can reduce the risk of eye diseases and support optimal eye health.
Here are fabulous food recommendations for maintaining healthy eyes that everyone should enjoy to eat:
Vitamin A-Rich Foods: Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining good vision and preventing conditions like night blindness. Include orange-colored vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and fruits such as cantaloupe and apricots in your diet.
Vitamin C-Rich Foods: Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and helps protect the eyes from harmful free radicals. Citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, and lemons, as well as other fruits and vegetables like peaches, red bell peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries, are excellent sources of vitamin C.
Vitamin E-Rich Foods: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that plays a role in maintaining healthy cells. Include foods such as avocados, almonds, and sunflower seeds in your diet to ensure an adequate intake of this nutrient.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Consuming cold-water fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, halibut, and trout, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can help reduce the risk of eye diseases and improve tear function.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin: These antioxidants protect the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. Leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, collards, turnip greens, broccoli, peas, and eggs are good dietary sources of these nutrients.
Zinc and Copper: Zinc is essential for retinal health, while copper is needed for red blood cell formation. Legumes like black-eyed peas, kidney beans, and lima beans provide both zinc and copper. Other sources of zinc include oysters, lean red meat, poultry, and fortified cereals.
While obtaining these nutrients through a well-balanced diet is ideal, individuals with macular degeneration may benefit from supplements as recommended by the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2). If you or a family member has age-related macular degeneration, consult with an ophthalmologist for personalized guidance.
Adopting a healthy diet that incorporates these recommendations can support your eye health and overall well-being throughout your life.
At Laser Eye Surgery of Erie, we strive to ensure that your LASIK experience is hassle-free and comfortable. Here is a simplified overview of the LASIK procedure
Preparation: Our surgery suite is conveniently located within our office. On the day of your procedure, arrange for someone to drive you and plan to spend approximately 1 hour at our office.
Relaxation: You will be provided with mild sedation to help you relax before the procedure.
Numbing and disinfection: Your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops, and Povidone-Iodine will be applied around the eyes to prevent infection.
Femtosecond Laser Ring: A specialized ring is placed on your eye, causing temporary black or blurred vision for about 1 minute. This is normal, and you will also experience a pressure sensation.
Flap creation: The IFS Intralase Femtosecond laser is used to create a thin “flap” with a hinge on your cornea. This flap is lifted to allow the laser to reshape the inner corneal tissue.
Reshaping the cornea: The Visx STAR 4 excimer laser, programmed specifically for your vision correction needs, is directed onto the exposed inner corneal tissue. The computer-guided laser gently reshapes the cornea.
Laser treatment experience: During the excimer laser treatment, you may experience a peculiar smell, see bright lights, and feel a sensation similar to water.
Flap replacement: Once the laser treatment is complete, the corneal flap is carefully repositioned to its original place, ensuring proper alignment.
Sensations and recovery: Most patients report minimal pressure but no pain during the procedure. Some discomfort may be experienced for a day or two afterward, but this can be managed with prescribed eye drops.
Rest and healing: Although some patients experience immediate vision improvement after LASIK, it is recommended to have someone drive you home. Most patients take at least one day for their vision to improve, some longer depending on your glasses prescription, eye health, and medical conditions. Resting with closed eyes will aid in the healing process. A follow-up appointment is necessary the following day, so arrange for transportation.
If you have any further questions or wish to schedule your FREE LASIK Consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Additionally, if you are not a suitable candidate for LASIK, our team can evaluate you for PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), which offers the same excellent results but the procedure performed differently.
