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Digital Eye Strain in Kelowna


What does your technology do for you? Today, we can order dinner, buy concert tickets, chat with friends, play games, and even work, all from virtually any device with a screen. Smartphones, gaming consoles, computers, and tablets make our lives more convenient.

But, there are some drawbacks to increased screen time.

Home » Digital Eye Strain

It’s almost impossible to get away from devices at school, work, and home, and as a result, an estimated 65% of Americans suffer from discomfort related to digital eye strain. Too much screen time can also affect how kids’ eyes develop, linking to an increased risk of myopia (nearsightedness).

Digital eye strain is also known as computer vision syndrome. It refers to a group of ocular issues stemming from too much time spent using digital devices.

If you’re experiencing eye discomfort after staring at your screen, we can help. We’ll assess your screen habits and provide some strategies to mitigate your discomfort.

Book an appointment to find relief from digital eye strain today.

Symptoms Of Digital Eye Strain

There are a few common symptoms associated with digital eye strain, including:

girl sleeping over laptop
  • Dry eyes
  • Headaches
  • Eye strain
  • Blurry vision
  • Neck and shoulder pain

Often, symptoms will alleviate when you take a solid screen time break. But, the discomfort will return once you’re in front of a digital device again. To find long-term relief, you’ll need to implement some prevention strategies.

It’s also important to visit your optometrist to help detect any other conditions that might affect your eye comfort.

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Mitigating Digital Eye Strain

Children with binocular vision problems can struggle with routine tasks. They may feel clumsy or self-conscious, shying away from sports or struggling with schoolwork.

The root of these problems often comes from a poor connection between the brain and the eyes. When your child sees double, their left and right eyes don’t sync up. When there’s miscommunication or poor visual development, the brain can learn to ignore visual input from one eye.

Assessing the health and functionality of both eyes, together and separately, can help pinpoint the problem.

arrow-right-3 arrow-right-3 Accommodation (Eye Focusing)

When you look from a near object to a far object, your eyes automatically engage muscles to focus and maintain a clear image. Accommodative dysfunction is when the eyes adjust poorly, affecting comfort and visual quality.

Signs and symptoms of poor eye focusing can include:

  • Blurry vision when shifting focus
  • Poor posture to compensate for eye fatigue
  • Tired or strained eyes
  • Poor concentration or task avoidance
arrow-right-3 arrow-right-3 Depth Perception

Depth perception is the ability to see objects in 3D. It’s a skill we use to judge accurately how far or near something is. Both eyes have a slightly different view, allowing the brain to compare and gather more dynamic information.

When the brain can’t process the information from one or both eyes, depth perception is impaired. Kids can struggle with simple tasks, like pouring a glass of milk, climbing stairs, or catching a ball.

arrow-right-3 arrow-right-3 Ocular Motility (Eye Movements)

From tracking soccer players across a field to glancing up when someone calls your name, eye movement is crucial for a range of visual functions. Kids with poor eye muscle control can face challenges with multiple aspects of binocular vision.

The inability to control eye movements can also indicate a central nervous system condition, from inflammation to neurological disorders.

arrow-right-3 arrow-right-3 Ocular Posture (Resting Position)

Evaluating the eye’s resting position can help determine if a child has eye misalignment. Eye position can affect how the eyes work together, as they need to focus on the same object simultaneously.

Common eye misalignment problems, like strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye), can cause:

  • Strained or tired eyes
  • Double vision
  • Headaches
  • Poor depth perception
arrow-right-3 arrow-right-3 Convergence (Eye Teaming)

Convergence is when our eyes move together and aim inward when looking at close distances. Your child may struggle to focus on a sentence or word because their eyes don’t line up, resulting in a mismatched image. Kids with convergence insufficiency (poor eye teaming) can experience:

  • Blurred or double vision
  • Poor concentration
  • Headaches
  • Vertigo or motion sickness
  • Tiredness after near-vision activities
  • Poor reading comprehension

Kids & Digital Eye Strain

Little girl phoropter

Increased device use also means kids are spending more time indoors. The World Health Organization recommends limiting screen time for children and encouraging them to play outside instead.

Children should have regular, comprehensive eye exams to support the health of their vision, regardless of their screen time. Schedule an appointment to support your child’s eye health today.

Book an appointment today.

What We Do

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Vision therapy uses evidenced-based solutions & personalized care to improve visual function. Find out if your child's vision is working as it should.