We’re all likely to have been told by our parents at some point that watching too much TV or getting too close to the screen will give us square eyes.
This phrase is obviously little more than a humorous way to encourage moderation when it comes to TV viewing. However, our modern lives are dominated by screens and while we may not actually get square eyes from staring at them, too much screen time can lead to a genuine medical condition.
Too much screen time can lead to a real medical condition
The medical condition in question is called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).
According to online health organization WebMD, this is because, unlike a book or a piece of paper, a screen can flicker and glare which can put a strain on your eye muscles.
Besides the glare of the screen itself, CVS can also be caused by poor lighting in the room you’re in (such as sunlight reflecting on the screen or being sat in a dark room with a very bright screen), as well as improper viewing distances, uncorrected vision problems and even poor seating posture.
CVS has not been found to cause any permanent damage to the eyes but its symptoms can often be painful and disruptive.
They can include eye strain, eye irritation (such as dry or itchy eyes), blurred vision, headaches, back and neck aches and muscle fatigue.
How to combat Computer Vision Syndrome
To help reduce the strain on your eyes, there are several tweaks you can make to your workspace.
The first is to change the lighting around you, either by moving your screen so that the sun isn’t reflecting on it or by increasing the light levels in the room so that the glare of the screen isn’t quite as harsh on your eyes.
According to WebMD, your laptop or computer screen should ideally be just below your eye level and be positioned between 20 and 28 inches (50.8 to 71.1cm) away from your face.
Looking from your monitor to printed materials can also put a strain on your eyes and neck, meaning a stand next to your screen to hold your papers could make your life a little easier.
When working on a computer all day, it’s important to give your eyes a break from time to time. Consider the 20-20-20 rule. This means that every 20 minutes or so, you should stop looking at your screen and focus your eyes on something around 20 feet away (such as looking out of the window) for about 20 seconds.
On top of that, make sure to keep blinking regularly to stop your eyes from drying out and becoming irritated.
And finally, don’t be afraid to tweak the settings on your screen if they’re causing you problems. Adjusting the brightness or increasing the font size can make looking at the screen a less harsh experience for your eyes.
If you still feel a strain on your eyes after making your workspace more comfortable, you should consider contacting a medical professional. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll have square eyes but it may help to see if you need glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision.
