Useful tips to help protect your eyes from the impact of smartphone screens
With the blue light emitted from smartphone screens, our eyes are under more pressure than ever. This article will help you discover simple but effective ways to protect your eyesight in the digital age.
Like computers, smartphone screens can cause eye strain, an increasingly common problem in the digital age. As we increasingly replace pen and paper with smartphones for everything from work to play, paying attention to our vision health becomes more important than ever.
In fact, the symptoms of eye strain from using a phone are very similar to those of prolonged computer use, such as dry eyes, discomfort, headaches around the eyes, and blurred vision. However, the difference lies in how we use the device.
While computers are typically used continuously for long periods of time, smartphones are used frequently but in short, repeated bursts throughout the day. Total screen time can still add up to several hours a day.
Although it may seem less stressful, constantly looking up and focusing on the phone screen still puts pressure on the eyes, leading to fatigue and vision loss if not adjusted promptly. So how to protect your eyes from the impact of the phone?
1. Adjust screen brightness for better eye protection
By default, phone screens are often set to be bright and sharp, which looks great right out of the box. However, everyone has different levels of visual sensitivity, and not adjusting the parameters properly can quickly cause eye fatigue.
Fortunately, most smartphones today allow you to easily adjust brightness, contrast, and text size. When indoors or in low-light environments, reduce the screen brightness or enable auto-brightness to help the screen adapt to the environment.
In addition, increasing the font size also helps you read text more easily, limiting squinting or eye strain, a common cause of eye strain when using the phone for long periods of time.
2. Keep a reasonable distance
You should keep your phone about 40 to 45 cm away from your eyes to ensure that your eyes do not have to work too hard. Holding the device too close will make your eyes have to adjust more, which can easily lead to fatigue and blurred vision.
If you often tend to bring your phone close to your face to see better, it is a sign that you should enlarge the size of the text or display content to protect your eyesight in the long run.
3. Use Night Mode
Most modern smartphones, from Android to iPhone, come with a night mode (Night Mode or Night Shift) - a feature that automatically reduces eye strain in the evening.
Photo: Internet.
When activated, the screen will automatically adjust to a warmer color tone and reduce blue light depending on the time of day. This is a simple but effective solution, helping to protect your eyes when using the device at night without you having to do much or remember to manually turn it on and off.
4. Don't forget to blink - a small but important habit
It may sound simple, but blinking frequently is something many people forget when staring at their phones or tablets. When we are so focused on our screens, we tend to stare without realizing that we are unconsciously reducing our blinking frequency.
Blinking not only helps keep the surface of your eyes moist, it also helps to adjust your vision and reduce eye strain. So remind yourself to blink regularly, this is one of the simplest ways to prevent dry eyes and reduce eye strain when using digital devices for long periods of time.
5. Use a matte screen protector
Smartphone screens often have glossy surfaces that help display sharp images, but they are prone to light reflection, causing eye discomfort when used outdoors or under strong light. A simple solution is to use a matte screen protector - a compact but effective accessory.
Matte film reduces glare, improves visibility in a variety of lighting conditions, and provides a more traditional LCD-like feel. They also protect the screen from scratches and are very affordable, making them a smart choice for both your eyes and your device.
6. Use artificial tears
Whether you work a lot on the computer or use your phone for a long time, dry and tired eyes are inevitable. In these cases, artificial tears are an effective solution to soothe and moisturize the eyes, bringing immediate comfort.
There are many over-the-counter lubricating eye drops available, including preservative-free and preservative-free versions. Everyone reacts differently to each product, so you may need to try a few before finding the one that works best for your eyes. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in your daily vision health.
In short, digital eye strain is a growing problem, but you can definitely minimize its effects with simple adjustments. Be mindful of your screen brightness, like turning it down in dark environments, or using the automatic brightness adjustment mode thanks to the built-in sensor on your phone.
Additionally, night mode with warm tones and soft lighting will help reduce blue light, a common cause of eye strain. Remember, screens with warmer colors and longer wavelengths are easier on the eyes. Actively adjusting these settings will not only make using your device more comfortable, but also contribute to protecting your long-term vision health./.
