Source : Pixels.com
While gaming can be a source of entertainment and a fun hobby, it has also been linked to concerns about prolonged screen time and vision problems. The average person spends over 8 hours in front of screens, with more than half taking screen breaks of only 15 minutes or less. The gamers surveyed also reported experiencing various eye-related symptoms, such as eye strain (48%), headaches (36%), dry eyes (35%), and blurred vision (31%). However, only 46% prioritize taking a comprehensive eye exam yearly.
Since these symptoms can affect gamers’ eye health and overall well-being if left unaddressed, this article will tackle the vision-related risks of gaming and ways for gamers to manage these risks and practice better eye care.
How gaming can harm your vision
Gaming can be visually demanding regardless of which device you use to play games. A 2020 study published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health explains that when the eyes are exposed to digital screens for extended periods, they constantly change focus and eventually become fatigued. Even a 60-minute period of uninterrupted screen use can worsen the eye’s ability to focus and adjust. This reduces the pupil’s maximum adaptability, speed, range, and overall reflex, which can develop into blurred vision at close range or worsen pre-existing vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism.
Meanwhile, reduced blinking frequency leads to dry eyes, which are considered a symptom of digital eye strain (DES) or computer vision syndrome. Dry eyes are typically associated with other DES symptoms like irritation, burning sensation, discomfort, and photosensitivity. Lastly, non-ergonomic practices like playing on low-illumination screens and sitting with poor posture can exacerbate eye fatigue with other physical symptoms like neck pain, muscle aches, and tension headaches.
How gamers can level up their eye care
Use eyewear with protective features
When you get your annual eye checkup, consider getting eyewear with features that help optimize both your gaming experience and vision health. Many online retailers offer a range of glasses made specifically for gamers in terms of comfort and vision protection. For instance, the top-selling brand Oakley has a selection of headset-compatible frames. These frames can then be paired with Oakley Prizm lens technology for magnification properties and an anti-reflective coating, which help reduce squinting and eye fatigue from high-contrast screens.
If you already wear eyeglasses, you can upgrade your lenses to filter blue light. Since the blue light emitted by digital screens has been found to strain the eyes, eyewear brand Glasses Direct focuses specifically on blue light glasses for gamers. They come with blue light-blocking lenses, a protective lens feature that helps you focus easier, avoid dry eyes, and lower the eyesight damage you get from prolonged screen exposure while gaming.
Take more screen breaks throughout the day
On top of gradually reducing your overall screen time, it’s advisable to incorporate regular breaks into your gaming habits. You can try following the 20-20-20 rule in between matches, which recommends looking away from the screen every 20 minutes and focusing on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. One of the strategies that can help you enforce this rule is setting an alarm or reminder on the device you’re playing on.
Make sure that your breaks also involve actually getting up and walking away from your screen. Drink a glass of water since hydration is important for eye health. You can also do other things that simply get you moving to avoid straining not just your eyes but your muscles, too. These include walking around the room, stretching your arms and legs, and stepping outside for fresh air.
No matter what games you play or how skilled of a gamer you are, eye care should be a part of your gaming lifestyle. It is better to prevent and/or manage eye-related symptoms while you still can — before they get worse and affect not just your gaming experience but also your overall quality of life.
If all this talk of glasses has got your interest piqued, it might be worth checking out our piece on the best glasses wearers from video games.
