does lcd screen harm eyes supplier

After working on a computer or browsing on your phone for too long, do your eyes become tired, dry, or strained? Then you’ve experienced what so many others have: eye strain. The past year has pushed many people to work or take classes from home, which leads to increased hours of screen time. Learning how to protect your eyes from computer screens can prevent you from feeling the discomfort of digital eye strain.

Eye strain is a condition that is commonly associated with driving long distances or staring at computer screens and other digital devices. It usually occurs when your eyes get tired from intense use, and it will usually subside on its own. For the most part, a digital eye strain is more annoying than painful. However, in some cases, eye strain can be a sign of an underlying eye condition that may require treatment.

In the digital age, technology has helped us accomplish more. But after hours of looking at screens, your eyes may become watery, dry, sore, or itchy. That’s because the light, specifically blue light, emitted off your computer or phone’s screen can put a strain on your eyes. Some long-term studies have shown that it can damage your retinal cells, which may lead to age-related macular degeneration. Until more research is conducted, most experts don’t believe that screens cause permanent damage to your vision. Digital eye strain headaches are a common symptom of eye strains from excessive screen time.

Do you feel some discomfort in your eyes after a long day of looking at your digital devices? If so, then you’re probably looking for a way to reduce digital eye strain symptoms. Here are some tips on how to protect eyes from computer and phone screens.

One of the most practical ways to protect eyes from computer screens is the 20/20/20 rule. It works like this, for every 20 minutes you spend staring at a screen, you must look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds straight. This provides your eyes with a much-needed break. Feel free to adjust the amount of time you look away from a screen—the longer, the better.

Whether you are working from home or at the office, make sure your environment is appropriately lit. Less light in your room is actually better for your eyes. To ensure your work environment isn’t too bright, close curtains and use lower voltage bulbs.

When possible, using an anti-glare matte screen can help reduce the effect glare can have on your eyes. Glare from your computer or phone’s screen stops your eyes from making adjustments that they need for you to focus. If you wear glasses, make sure your lenses have an anti-reflective coating.

The typical screens you deal with today offer refresh rates of 75Hz or more. The higher the better. Furthermore, screens with higher resolutions appear more lifelike. When you can’t see the pixels, your eyes don’t work as hard to make sense of the images in front of you.

One of the best ways to treat your eye strain problem is with artificial tears. As an effective way of keeping your eyes lubricated, artificial tears can be bought over the counter. Some artificial tears come with preservatives and some without, so you may need to try a few before finding the one best for you.

If you are suffering eye strain and are not finding relief from the above solutions, it may be time to see your eye doctor. As mentioned before, a regular eye exam can help you get ahead of any underlying conditions that are affecting your eyes. It can also be an opportunity for you to ask how to protect your eyes from computer screens. In the case that you do have an underlying eye condition, and want to see if you are a candidate for LASIK you shouldschedule a free consultation. You can trust that our doctors will help find the best solution for your eyes.

Continuous usage of LCD screens can impact your eyes in few bad ways, that’s why LCD screens are bad for your eyes. For instance, long hours of usage of these screens can cause digital eye strains or the blink rate of your eyes to drop a little. Your eyes can start feeling tired and some sort of blurry vision.

Although, these problems are temporary often, and only get worse in few cases (who doesn’t care for their eyes while using an LCD screen). If you keep blinking the eyes during LCD screen usage, it’ll surely help in keeping them relaxed.

LCD screens (mostly) contains florescent cathode (cold) backlight display, other screen type LED however uses the emitting diodes that are light and are safer over the eyes. Plus, the cathode rays of LCD can be harder on your eyes. So, it is not that safe for the eyes as the other type is.

Experts say that screens like a computer, phone, tablet screens are not that much harmful over the eyes as we think. They can cause temporary damage like blurred vision (for a short time), tiring eyes, redness, etc. that can be resolved with time. But in only a few cases it gets worse but still can be treated.

Although both screen types have their significant pros and cons. But in the case of the eye’s OLED screen is considered a better option. Because they provide better viewing angles, resolution powers, better contrasts, etc. in comparison to the LCD screens.

Discoveries by scientists suggest that LCD screens leak few chemicals almost in every surrounding (environment). And these particles (chemicals) get toxic with time. Also, the breakdown of these chemicals is not easy and takes time, this increase causes a high mobility rate in the environment.are led screens bad for your eyes

47% of U.S. consumers admitted to being unable to last a day without their mobile devices in a 2014 study done by the Bank of America, demonstrating the increasing prevalence of mobile devices. Mobile devices use LCD screens which emit blue light and thus negatively affects not only vision but also overall health. Continual extended screen time mainly can impact your eyes in two major ways.

Digital Eye StrainWhen we look at a screen, our blink rate drops significantly, thus causing digital eye strain. Signs of digital eye strain include slightly blurry vision after using LCD screens for prolonged periods, headaches, dry or tired eyes.

Though digital eye strain is temporary, if left unaddressed, it can turn into a chronic problem.The easiest way to address digital eye strain is to blink more as blinking helps to keep eyes lubricated. Alternatively, try using the “20-20-20 Rule”. Every 20 minutes, stare at something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This exercise engages your distance vision and allows the eyes to rest.

Blue Light ExposureBlue light is the highest energy wavelength of visible light. This energy is able to penetrate all the way to the back of the eye, through the eyes’ natural filters. The rapidly increasing amount of blue light exposure that we get each day through digital device use is causing permanent damage to our eyes. The effects of blue light are cumulative and can lead to eye diseases like macular degeneration.

Children are especially at risk due to their developing eyes. Protective pigments which help filter out some of this harmful blue light are not yet present. The risk is worsened further due to their increased exposure to LCD screens.

Try minimising usage of LCD screens by reading print media or using E Ink displays instead. The InkCase, for example, allows users to read for prolonged periods with minimal power consumption by adding a secondary E Ink screen on the back of your phone.

With useful technologies like smart phones, tablets, television screens, and computer monitors becoming so integrated in everyday life, it can be hardnotto inadvertently stare at pixels for several hours every day. We all know that keeping our attention buried in blue light can make our eyes tired after a while, but can too much exposure cause significant problems? Keep reading to learn the effects of screen time on our eyes!

The primary culprit of blue light emissions comes from white LED lights — specifically, the LEDs which backlight the screens of our electronic devices. Light emitting diodes are specifically manufactured to put out narrow bands of colored light which mimics white light. Despite us not being able to see it, a lot of blue light tends to leak out of these handy illuminators, which is why they mess with our circadian rhythms.

“While there’s no strong scientific evidence that blue light from digital devices causes damage to your eyes, there is a growing concern that blue light can have long-term effects on our health,” Dr. LaPlaca said. “Blue light exposure may contribute to the destruction of the cells in the center of the retina and play a role in causing age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to vision loss.”

While blue light and ultraviolet light dohave the potential to be harmful, our personal devices typically emit too low of an amount to cause any major problems. But that doesn’t mean precautions shouldn’t be taken to reduce blue light as much as possible!

When you look at a screen, you might imagine your eyes aren’t doing as much work as when you’re doing things in the physical world. In fact, quite the opposite is true!

Digital eye strain is a growing problem and frequent eye complaint. Just like while reading a book, your eyes are constantly darting back and forth while looking at a screen, jumping between lines of text and clinging to colorful, flashy images. This is a recipe for quick ocular exhaustion!

Likewise, people tend to blink less when using computers and other attention-demanding gadgets. This is because blinking and thinking are related: when our minds are intently focused on something, we blink less often because we don’t want to miss anything. Adding to the problem is the constant brightness of screens which naturally demand fewer blinks to look at. These conditions add up to tired eyes, which need a break from concentration every once in a while.

It’s not just computer screens, either. Research has shown thatanyactivity performed up close for long periods of time can increase the likelihood of developing myopia. Hobbies such as reading, writing, knitting, drawing, and painting can increase your chances of nearsightedness, to name a few.

The solution? Spending plenty of time outdoors and away from screens has proven to be an effective countermeasure against myopia, especially with children and young people. So go out and get some sunshine…but don’t look at the sun!

Because almost all of us need to use digital devices for day-to-day tasks, many people look for ways to protect their tired retinas from prolonged exposure. After all, a lot of workers look at screens for a living!

One popular trick is known as the20-20-20 Rule. Simply put, for every20 minutesof screentime, focus on something20 feet awayfor20 seconds. Working in some blinks will also refresh your eyes with a hydrated tear film before returning to the screen! You may also want to consider using blue light blocking glasses, which are specially made to absorb those harmful wavelengths. Other eye-hacks like downloading blue light blocking plugins, using warm screen settings, and angling your device at least 30 degrees from your eyes can help even more.

Artificial eye drops (without phenylephrine—be sure to check) are another effective method used to combat eye strain. Many over-the-counter brands are harmless when used as needed for immediate comfort. However, keep in mind that most artificial tears are held in bottles which release more solution than your eye really needs. Unfortunately, this is a corporate tactic to exhaust your supply faster, forcing you to buy more.

Nanodropper providesintuitive adaptorswhich fit over eye drop bottles to reduce the amount of drops wasted, saving your wallet and optimizing your eye health at the same time. If you experience frequent eye strain from screens, a Nanodropper Adaptor will quickly pay for itself and save you time and money!

“I’ve changed to a high-end smartphone with an OLED screen, but my eyes feel uncomfortable.” More and more netizens have this problem. Do OLED screens really hurt our eyes? Recently, a reporter investigated this phenomenon.

“I would never have thought that my eyes were becoming uncomfortable after using a new mobile phone for a few days.” Recently, a netizen reported this issue.

According to the reporter’s investigation, quite a few users have such questions. There are nearly 400,000 related links in Google search for “Eyes hurt by OLED screens“. Many related posts have resonated with netizens because they also had this symptom.

In the past two years, OLED screen smartphones have become the mainstream, and major smartphone manufacturers in the market are applying OLED screens in their flagship models one after another.

The problem is, do OLED screens really hurt our eyes? The reason why you feel uncomfortable when using mobile phones with OLED screens is that they flicker.

LCD screen usually uses LCD backlight to realize screen luminescence, the flickering frequency of which can reach several kilohertz (Hz) that flickering will basically not occur. The pixels for OLED screens are self-luminous, the low power of which has limited its flickering frequency. At present, the flickering frequency of the PWM dimming of OLED screens on many mobile phones is about 215Hz-250Hz.

In the eyes of communication industry professionals, this value is not high. But even the medical circle has not given a clear answer to this question, which is a great controversy in the industry.

Jie Chuanhong is the director of the ophthalmology department of the Eye Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. He said in an interview that whether you watch the mobile phone screen, computer screen, or iPad screen for a long time, it is easy to cause visual fatigue, which should not be directly related to the screen.

“There is no direct relationship between OLED screen and eye harm.” Communication industry professionals also said that human eyes are almost imperceptible to the flickering of OLED screens. “Visual fatigue may be caused by staring at the screen for too long.”

Some experts claim that both LCD and OLED screens can harm human eyes because they will emit blue light harmful to the eyes, which is inevitable. However, OLED has a way to avoid this problem, enabling the eye-protection mode (similar to PWM dimming) and changing the color tone of the screen to yellowish.

Many netizens also suggested that when using smartphones with OLED screens, we should increase the brightness as much as possible because the lower the brightness, the more harmful it will be to our eyes. When the brightness of the screen is reduced, the screen of the smartphone will further reduce the flickering frequency.

Some ophthalmologists suggest that “human eyes have different perceptions of OLED flickering, and some people are more sensitive. Sensitive users had better use smartphones with LCD screens.” There has not been a unified medical statement about this conclusion.

Some netizens even made a comparison experiment: you can obviously feel that the screen of P30 Pro is not as good as that of Mate20 Pro. This is easy to understand. Different mobile phones may use different screens, and manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, and BOE have different technologies and product quality.

Some experimental results have shown that screen size is not the main factor influencing visual fatigue but the material and physical properties of different electronic screens.

Even for the same mobile phone, whether the screen is good or not depends on “luck”. Because different brands of OLED screens may be used in the same mobile phone model, in many cases, the mobile phone manufacturer will not specify this, nor does it list the screen provider in detail in the user manual.

For example, Mate20 pro screen suppliers include BOE and LG, and some of their products have experienced “green screen” events after being released on the market. According to media reports, all the mobile phones with green screen problems are those with LG screens. That is to say, the screens in the same mobile phone model may be different for the same price. Whether the mobile phone is good or not depends on luck.

This is almost a common problem in the industry. Initially, both the iPhone XS and XS MAX were equipped with Samsung’s OLED screens. But then Apple listed LG as its second iPhone XS screen supplier. In other words, LG screens may be used in the subsequent batches of iPhone XS and XS MAX. Whether consumers buy LG screens or Samsung screens depends on luck.

The color of OELD screens is more vivid, fuller, and realistic. High-end smartphones have been equipped with OLED screens, which have become the mainstream; LCD screens have been used for low-end smartphones, which are no longer the preferred choice.

Why did this happen? “Terminal products such as the ones with fingerprints under the screen and ultra-thin products can only be realized by using OLED screens.” It has become a common recognition in the industry.

Now there is good news BOE suddenly announced that it has successfully developed fingerprint technology under LCD screen, which will be mass-produced by the end of this year.

It is unrealistic for the mobile phone industry to return to LCD screens from OLED screens, and even some people think it means the degeneration of technology. From the perspective of eye health alone, LCD screens will also emit blue light harmful to human eyes. If we really want to protect our eyes, we must reduce the time consumed by smartphones.

As we all know, AMOLED screen is a screen made of self-luminous organic materials. It does not require LCD backlight. When current passes through organic materials, pixels will emit light by themselves. Therefore, compared to LCD screens, AMOLED has more Pure black, higher contrast and other display advantages.

LCD screens rely on LED backlight panels to emit light. Therefore, in the field of smart phones, LCD screens mostly use DC dimming. This is a technology that directly adjusts the brightness of the two sides of the light-emitting component to adjust the brightness. The smaller the current, the lower the brightness.

DC dimming is relatively straightforward, but it also has a big disadvantage. Due to the different wavelengths of the three primary colors, DC dimming can cause unavoidable color casts under extremely low brightness conditions, such as early LCD displays with DC dimming , At low brightness, there will be obvious problems of discoloration.

The DC dimming does not seem to be suitable for AMOLED screens. AMOLED screen is a technology that relies on organic materials to emit light. The display quality is greatly related to the material, and the color difference between pixels will be very obvious.

Unlike DC dimming, which directly adjusts the current to control brightness, PWM dimming is more clever. Everyone knows that switching the light source will cause flicker. The faster the switching speed, the faster the flicker. When the frequency of switching the light source exceeds the limit of the human eye, the brightness of all pictures is superimposed in the human eye, so the frequency will affect the brightness of the screen. This technique is called PWM dimming (pulse width modulation).

However, with PWM dimming, even if the human eye cannot sense the picture change during the switching process, we will respond to this phenomenon. It is more likely to cause fatigue on the muscles on both sides of the eyes, thereby stimulating the refraction system to accelerate vision Ageing.

At present, Samsung ’s AMOLED screens use 250Hz low-frequency PWM dimming technology. When the screen brightness is lower, the possibility that the human eye can perceive becomes larger, and it is more likely to affect sensitive people.

AMOLED displays that use PWM low-frequency dimming for a long time do seem to affect vision, but do n’t think that LCD can survive. Even with DC dimming, it also has an irreversible effect on vision-cannot be ignored Blu-ray hazard.

Different from the AMOLED self-emission mode, the LCD screen uses a combination of backlight and filter imaging. In mainstream technology, many LCD screens will use blue LED backlight panels, which are covered with red, green and colorless three. This kind of filter forms three primary colors of RGB when blue light passes through these three filters.

Among them, the short-wave blue light emitted by the blue backlight board can cause harm to human eyes. Because short-wave light has a greater capacity density and is more penetrating, it will directly penetrate the lens to the retina, causing atrophy or death of retinal pigment epithelium cells.

From a technical point of view, whether it is an LCD or an AMOLED screen, the impact on vision is universal. As far as smartphones are concerned, it cannot be said that AMOLED screens are more eye-damaging than LCD screens.

Even if the LCD party held high the banner that PWM low-frequency dimming is harmful, it could not fully prove that AMOLED screens have an impact on vision, because everyone"s habits of using mobile phones are different, and the impact on everyone is different. There is no doubt that in the end, it is still the habits that need attention. For example, users should try to avoid watching the phone screen for a long time; reduce the viewing time of LCD and AMOLED low brightness in the dark environment.

Are computers bad for your eyes?  And if so, what can be done about it?  These are questions that thousands of Australians ask every week.  The past ten years has seen enormous changes in the use of computer screens.

Once a desktop screen used only at work, the computer screen has been promoted to a mobile device that is with us 24/7.  The latest generation of teens and young adults stare at their smart phones, iPads and games consoles all day.  Coupled with this increased exposure is the increased intensity of light emitted from these screens. Is this harming our eyes?

This is one of those questions that anyone buying a new TV asks but most people are unaware that it’s a misleading question.  Technology manufacturers like to draw an artificial distinction between their LED and LCD monitors.  This cons us into believing that the LCD has been superseded by the LED, when in actual fact all that’s changed is the way the LCD monitor is backlit.

LCD (liquid crystal display) technology – to the uninitiated – involves sandwiching a liquid layer between two layers of glass and backlighting it. Older technologies backlit the screen using fluorescent light – called CCFL (or cold cathode fluorescent light). This produced light across all parts of the spectrum, with the peak in the green light part of the spectrum (see image, left).

More modern computers still use LCD screens but the backlighting used is more often LED (light emitting diode) technology. This has many advantages over the older fluorescent light technology.  It provides a thinner, lighter and more energy efficient display – generating less heat and consuming less power. However, the LED light spectrum is very different to the older fluorescent technology and emits a lot more light from the blue-violet end of the spectrum (see image, right).

UV light is invisible, but its very short wavelengths allow it to penetrate the delicate superficial tissues of our eyes and skin and cause oxidative damage. This is what leads to skin cancers as well as contributing to many eyes diseases particularly of the cornea and lens – i.e. cataract, pinguecula and pterygium.

Blue-violet light is visible light, but is on the part of the spectrum right next to ultra-violet. Blue-violet light has been shown to be toxic to the delicate structures of our eyes. It can penetrate deeper into the eye – as far as the retina – and it is emerging in clinical data that is has a negative effect on the health of our eyes, particularly for age-related macular degeneration.  The mechanism by which blue-violet light damages the retina is still being studied but it is thought to disrupt cellular metabolism at the back of the eye.  Blue blockers are glasses which filter out blue-violet light. The filter can be worn with or without a glasses prescription.

Not all blue light is bad!  At the greener end of the spectrum is blue-turquoise light.  Unlike blue-violet light this kind of blue light is beneficial to us.  This is the light that helps regulate our bio-rhythms, telling our bodies when to wake up in the morning and slow down before sleep. Blue light suppresses melatonin production in our bodies, so it is not healthy to be exposed to artificial blue light late at night as it prevents us our natural winding down mechanism from kicking in. This is a good reason why digital screen use should be avoided in the hours preceding sleep, regardless of whether blue-blockers are worn.

The negative effects of blue light on the eye are especially true for children. We previously wrote about kids’ eyes and computers here. (Link to clock-lock-block article).  The image below shows the relative intensity of light at various wavelengths for a typical L ED screen. It doesn’t matter what the device, if it’s modern, it’s typically emitting most light at the blue end of the spectrum.  This is bad news for our kids, who often spend hours per day on digital devices such as tablets and smartphones.

Take home message?  Exposure to blue-violet light should be limited as much as possible. Companies like BenQ now make all their screens with blue light filtering technology.  Children’s use of digital screens should be limited, to protect their particularly delicate eyes.  For the rest of us, blue blockers can provide protection from harmful blue-violet light but to get a good night’s sleep you should also limit screen exposure before bedtime.  And yes, that means TV too!

see the light flickering at a very high frequency, thestroboscopicdoes exist. If thestroboscopicfrequency is very low, it can be easily observed by human eyes.

Most people know the sun can hurt our eyes but are less clear on whether to worry about other bright lights, like computer screens. In short, these screens are far less damaging than the sun.

This is because screens aren’t as bright as the sun, and newer screens don’t generally produce UV rays, the most damaging kind of light the sun produces. Instead, the most important light to consider that screens produce is short wavelength, high-energy blue light.

In the short term, blue light is mostly associated with potentially causing eye strain. Per the American Optometric Association, this usually isn’t serious and can mostly be solved by habitually looking away from your screen on occasion and practicing some basic techniques to reduce the strain.

In the long term, some studies have suggested the blue light from screens can damage retinal cells, leading to problems like age-related macular degeneration. The extent of this issue is not fully understood, but it is notably not serious enough to suddenly avoid all use of screens.

Vision experts generally don’t consider screens as a source of permanent vision damage, even if extended use can cause eye irritation. If you only look at screens for a few hours a day and don’t experience any vision issues, you probably do not need to worry.

The biggest thing to consider when it comes to screens is if and how much they may damage our eyes in the long term. There is not yet a fully clear answer, so more research needs to be done. The accepted view is that the blue light from screens is not a major cause of long-term vision issues, though excessive use should be avoided.

Many people are understandably under the impression that any bright light aimed at our eyes can cause permanent damage. After all, the sun is one of the brightest things we encounter on a regular basis, and it is well understood that it can damage our eyes.

In some respects, it makes sense to think that even light sources that are not as bright, such as computers and smartphone screens, might damage our eyes too, given enough time. This is somewhat true, although not to the degree many assume.

The sun produces a wide spectrum of light rays. Its white color comes from the fact that it is producing red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet light all at once. Importantly, it also produces ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are invisible but can readily cause permanent damage if you’re exposed to them for lengthy periods of time. While skin damage from UV light is often discussed, the sun’s rays can also damage the eyes.

Old cathode ray screens (now almost completely obsolete and no longer used by the bulk of people) actually produced a tiny amount of UV rays when in use, but newer screens do not. The most troublesome light our modern devices (ranging from light bulbs to tablets) tend to produce is blue light.

This type of light has short wavelengths and relatively high amounts of energy. While blue light is not extremely dangerous and comes in far higher quantities from the sun, there is at least one study suggesting that long-term exposure to blue light through our devices may cause at least some eye harm.

In the short term, staring at screens for a long time is known to sometimes cause computer vision syndrome, or digital eye strain. While not serious, this condition can still be irritating and even detrimental to one’s work. It can potentially cause:

The first factor is simply the length of exposure. The average American worker spends at least seven hours in front of a screen, and some people spend significantly more time than that staring at screens. Compounding the issue is the fact that many people are unfortunately in the habit of maintaining bad posture while staring at screens.

Try to light your workspace (or wherever you’ll be looking at a screen) properly, so the light level in the room is roughly equal to how much light your screen will be producing. Contrasting levels of light, such as being in a dark room while looking at a bright screen, can strain the eyes faster.

Practice the 20-20-20 rule. This simple rule can help with eye strain. All you need to do is take a break every 20 minutes or so to stare at an object about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps to give your eyes a break from focusing on a bright screen that is close to you. Make this rule a habit, and you’ll feel the difference in your eyes over time.

The effect of digital eye strain or screen time is the same whether you are using a computer, smartphone, or tablet since they all emit similar rays and have comparable effects on the eyes.

Screens may be causing a subtler and less understood long-term problem. This was brought to light in studies that suggested sustained exposure to blue light could lead to impaired retinal cells. This has been linked to problems like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can cause blurred vision. There is no cure for AMD, but the condition can be managed.

There are some things you can do to protect your eyes from blue light. The most obvious is to simply reduce screen time. Some evidence suggests children’s eyes absorb more blue light than adults’ eyes. Children should have less screen time than adults.

There are filters and special glasses that are designed to reduce how much blue light is hitting your eyes. Many of these filters can also help with eye strain, as they reduce how bright your screen is compared to the rest of the room. You can benefit from wearing these glasses or using the filters for at least a few hours of your time in front of a screen each day.

If you work from home, all in-person meetings are replaced with Zoom or other video meetings, which means you are staring at a screen for many more hours than you used to in an average day.

Remember to take frequent screen breaks throughout the day by looking away from your computer. Actually get up to walk around for 5 minutes or so. Your body needs the break as much as your eyes.

You may also consider muting notifications on your other devices, like your phone or tablet. This allows you to truly take breaks while you eat meals or after hours, ensuring that you aren’t chained to your screens even if you are working from home.

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly increased screen time for many kids, thanks to online school and limited in-person social interactions with friends. And screen time was already a subject of concern for many parents.

While all screen time is not bad for kids, it’s a good idea to encourage your children to avoid excessive screen time. Too much screen time has been linked to obesity, poor sleep patterns, low self-esteem, and behavioral problems.

If you don’t notice much eye strain or other issues after extended computer or smartphone use, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. Staring at a screen is certainly nothing like staring at the sun. If you only use screens for a few hours a day, it’s unlikely you’ll ever experience any screen-related vision problems.

Blue light is not the sole cause of age-related macular degeneration. It is caused by a combination of many factors. If you believe you are at risk of AMD, it can be helpful to limit your screen time.

An exact number on the amount of ideal screen time is tough to pinpoint. Most vision experts aren’t too concerned that screens cause much permanent damage (if any damage at all), but in some cases, screens can cause discomfort or potentially more serious problems.

Ultimately, it isn’t healthy to stare at a screen for hours on end. Excessive screen time brings various other concerns, other than just vision-related problems. Extended use of screens has been linked to various health issues, including obesity and insomnia.

Overall, limiting your screen time to a few hours a day and practicing the 20-20-20 rule should be enough to avoid any major vision problems related to screen time.

In the visible light spectrum, blue light has wavelengths adjacent to ultraviolet light. Compared to the factory preset setting of 6500 K of typical LCD monitors, Paper Mode is closer to the spectral distribution with long reddish wavelengths so it reduces the amount of blue light, a cause of eye fatigue, and helps prevent eyestrain when reading documents. When used in conjunction with Auto EcoView dimming function, blue light can be reduced by as much as 80%.

Due to the way brightness is controlled on LED backlights, a small number of people perceive flicker on their screen which causes eye fatigue. FlexScan Frameless monitors utilize a hybrid solution to regulate brightness and make flicker unperceivable without any drawbacks like compromising color stability – even on low brightness settings.

The monitor uses an LED-backlit IPS (in-plane switching) LCD panel with 178° viewing angle that minimizes color shift and contrast changes when viewing the screen at an angle. This means that two people sitting at the one computer can easily see the screen with high image quality.

Computer users complain of blurred vision, tired eyes, dry eyes and headaches on a daily basis. Many blame their computers for needing eyeglasses, while others claim that staring at a screen has caused their myopia (nearsightedness) to worsen. High tech employees worry about computer monitor radiation. What they all share is their concern about permanent, irreversible damage to their eyes.

The good news is that extensive research into eye health in Israel and North America has conclusively and repeatedly proven that digital screens do not cause eye damage. Nor has it been proven that intense computer activity can lead to or affect myopia, as in the case of high tech workers. That said, everyone agrees that computer use may cause temporary eye problems, most of which can easily be solved or prevented by simple changes in work habits.

As a general rule, if eye strain symptoms appear following a short period of computer use, this means that there is a specific eye health issue that should be addressed. However, developing tired eyes after eight hours of non-stop intense visual activity is totally normal. After all, wouldn’t you expect your legs to tire after running a marathon?" - Doctor Andrew Fink MD.

Eye strain occurs when your eyes get tired from intense use over a prolonged period of time, or when the muscles in your eyes fatigue. This means that eye strain can be caused by any number of events or situations, such as reading sheet music in a small font, composing in the dark or even driving a car for extended periods, to name a few.

There is no scientific evidence proving that eye strain causes permanent damage. Eye strain is generally associated with symptoms such as blurred vision, tiredness, soreness, itching of the eyes or headaches.

But these are just symptoms of eye discomfort, in the same way that muscles are often sore after exercising at the gym, which is an uncomfortable – yet harmless – side effect. By introducing good habits into your daily routine eye-strain should be prevented, or at least counteracted.

Wearing eyeglasses with an incorrect prescription will cause the eyes to tire more quickly when intensively staring at a screen for extended periods of time.

Our eyes are designed to look down slightly when reading or doing close-up work. Looking straight ahead at a focal point, or worse upwards or sideways, will cause additional strain on the eye muscles.

Lastly, the blue light factor has been extremely controversial among scientists. Although it can be found in almost everything from sunlight to fluorescent and LED lighting, it is actually considered as having both positive and negative effects on the eyes. Light is made up of electronic particles, and blue light has a very short wavelength thereby producing more energy.

On the other hand, blue light has also been proven to boost alertness and cognitive function, and help release happy endorphins. For those worried by the effect of blue light, there is no shortage of blue light filters for computer screens or blue light-blocking computer glasses.

Let’s start by having a closer look at the technical characteristics of the two main screens on the market: E-Ink (Electrophoretic Ink) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). E-Ink is an electronic paper display technology integrated into e-book reading devices such as Kindle. LCD screens are found in iPads, tablets, smartphones, televisions and computers.

Basically, E-Ink screens offer a reading experience similar to that of reading a paper book, whereas LCD screens offer a digital experience. Based on these preliminary findings, it would make perfect sense to believe that E-Ink screens are better for the eyes. Surprisingly, however, Dr. Fink and the American Optometric Association state that “the nature of the screen (LCD vs. E-Ink) is largely irrelevant”. So, why aren’t E-Ink screens considered as being naturally better for the eyes?

One recurring argument is that E-Ink screens are preferable because backlit screens damage the eyes. As it turns out, this isn’t true. According to the American Optometric Association, “backlit screens do not make any difference as our eyes naturally adjust to the amount of light we are exposed to”.

Furthermore, since LCD screens are backlit they offer built-in options to manually adjust screen brightness. Most LCD screens do this automatically by calculating the ratio of external vs screen lighting.

Another argument comes from Carl Taussig, director of Hewlett-Packard‘s Information Surfaces Lab. According to him, “the new LCDs don’t affect your eyes, today’s screens update every eight milliseconds, whereas the human eye is moving at a speed between 10 and 30 milliseconds.”

To improve the reading experience, Apple has introduced the Night Shift and True Tone features. Night Shift is designed to automatically adjust the display color balance in order to reduce brightness. True Tone automatically changes the white point and color balance of the display based on real-time measurements of the ambient light falling on the screen. The idea is to make the display behave more like paper reflecting ambient light and taking on its color.

The adaptive design of LCD screens means that your eyes won’t have to adjust when you look up from the screen, as the screen brightness will have automatically adapted to the ambient lighting, thereby significantly improving eye comfort.

Screen reflection is also commonly mentioned as being a cause of eye strain. Technically speaking, the presence of glare and reflections on the screen can make viewing difficult due to different degrees of brightness scattered over the screen, which cause constant adjustments in pupil size. That being said, those adjustments are a natural reaction for the eyes and are neither damaging nor completely solvable.

In addition, LCD manufacturers are investing large amount of money on anti-glare and anti-reflective technology. And Apple are ahead of the game. According to them, the iPad Pro has the lowest screen reflectivity compared to that of any other tablet on the market.

Screen resolution and display settings are extremely important when reading from a digital screen. High resolution generally means a better, sharper viewing experience, with less strain placed on the eyes. Reading, annotating and editing sheet music on a device with a high-resolution LCD screen provides a fuller experience, allowing users to zoom-in and comfortably see every little detail, without pixelation.

For example, Apple’s second generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro has one of the largest screen resolutions available on the market, at 2732 x 2048 pixels (264 DPI). E-ink screens, in comparison, are usually limited to a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels (150 DPI).

Dr. Travis Meredith, chair of the ophthalmology department at the University of North Carolina, sums it up in his own words: “sitting close to a television, or computer screen, isn’t bad for our eyes. It’s the environmental context that matters”.

The recommended distance is whatever is comfortable, but for reading it’s usually considered to be about 13 inches for both A4- or A3-sized screens. It’s important to make sure that note and font size are not too small.

We simply need to give ourselves time to adopt these new habits and begin re-educating ourselves to better cope with intense eye use. If we are diligent in integrating this new approach, we will be able to ride the wave of technological advancements while protecting our eyesight.

Dear EarthTalk: Years ago I read that children should be kept at least two feet from the television because of harmful electronic emissions. Is this still relevant? Is there a difference regarding this between older and new flat-screen models?

But even though electronic emissions aren’t an issue with TVs made any time after 1968 (including today’s LCD and plasma flat screens), what about causing harm to one’s vision? Dr. Lee Duffner of the American Academy of Ophthalmology isn’t concerned, maintaining that watching television screens—close-up or otherwise—“won’t cause any physical damage to your eyes.” He adds, however, that a lot of TV watching can surely cause eye strain and fatigue, particularly for those sitting very close and/or watching from odd angles. But there is an easy cure for eye strain and fatigue: turning off the TV and getting some rest. With a good night’s sleep, tired eyes should quickly return to normal.

Debra Ronca, a contributor to the How Stuff Works website, argues that some parents might be putting the cart before the horse in blaming close-up TV watching for their child’s vision issues. “Sitting close to the television may not make a child nearsighted, but a child may sit close to the television because he or she is nearsighted and undiagnosed,” she reports. “If your child habitually sits too close to the television for comfort, get his or her eyes tested.”

Of course, excessive TV viewing by kids can cause health problems indirectly. According to the Nemours Foundation’s KidsHealth website, children who consistently watch TV more than four hours a day are more likely to be overweight, which in and of itself can bring about health problems later. Also, kids who watch a lot of TV are more likely to copy bad behavior they see on-screen and tend to “fear that the world is scary and that something bad will happen to them.” Nemours also finds that TV characters often depict risky behaviors (like smoking and drinking) and also tend to reinforce gender-role and racial stereotypes.

While it may be inevitable that your kids will watch TV, the key, experts say, is moderation. Limit kids’ exposure to screens of any kind, and monitor what they are allowed to watch. As KidsHealth points out, parents should teach their kids that the TV is “for occasional entertainment, not for constant escapism.”

The average American adult spends 11 hours per day looking at a screen. Since the start of the COVID pandemic, this number has ballooned to 13+ hours. Smart phone use and TV watching certainly contribute to this number, but the top culprit for many is the computer monitor.

Because most of us spend hours per day at our computer straining our eyes, the “eye-saving” messages really appeal to us. Almost everyone has experienced dry eyes, strained eyes, blurred vision, or headaches that were caused by excessive screen time. Digital eye strain (“computer vision syndrome”) affects over half of the population.

In truth, most of these “eye-care” and “eyesafe” monitors rely on the two features discussed above — blue light filtering and flicker-free displays. So let’s look into each of these technologies.

First, marketers begin with the statement that blue light is dangerous to our eyes, skin, and sleep patterns. This is factually correct, but somewhat intellectually dishonest.

“It’s true that blue and ultraviolet light are dangerous to eyes, but only at very high intensities.  The amount of blue light produced by a computer monitor or phone screen is so dim that it has no effect on the health of the eyes.  The blue and UV light from the sun is very dangerous and is a documented source of skin cancer, cataracts and retina disease to millions.  This is why doctors recommend sunglasses and sunscreen to people spending significant time outdoors.”– Dr. Norman Shedlo

To summarize: Exposure to high intensity blue light can be harmful. However, a computer monitor only causes a low exposure. It may be helpful to minimize blue light emission from your computer monitor. But this isn’t a technologically advanced feature that justifies your spending extra money.

If you have ever noticed the flicker of a monitor or other display, you will agree that the flicker can be aggravating and unpleasant to look at. But the important question here is whether or not a “flicker-free” monitor does anything to protect your eyes.

Again, we turn to the experts. Dr. Shedlo tells us that “flicker rates between 70-90 Hz will present a screen that does not appear to ‘flicker’. The flickering itself is not dangerous to your eyes, it’s just annoying. Flicker rates above this are outside the range of human perception and make absolutely no difference. These rates have no effect on eye strain.”

Most of the eye strain that occurs happens because of dry eye and decreased blink. So, while special flicker free monitors and monitor lamps seem fancy and may provide a better user experience, from a medical point of view they do not ‘save the eyes.’– Dr. Yuna Rapoport

Even though operating systems (like Windows 10) and third-party applications allow users to reduce blue lighting on their computer monitor, most of us don’t use these features. Therefore, purchasing an “eye care” monitor that automatically includes blue light reduction/filtering may provide some benefit. At worst, this reduction of blue light is neutral, and at best it may benefit our eyes to some degree.

Next, a flicker-free screen may be more comfortable to your eyes. We have established that the flickering of a computer screen isn’t harmful to your eyes. But this flickering can absolutely be irritating to the user. Needless to say, keeping your vision comfortable and aggravation-free during hours of daily screen time is preferrable to an uncomfortable experience.

So, the fact that a number of computer monitors now have this “eyesafe” certification is undoubtedly a positive thing. However, this certification must be taken with a grain of salt.

The TÜV Rheinland stamp of approval only refers to the display’s ability to block, filter, or otherwise minimize the emission of blue light of a certain wavelength. It does not speak to the efficacy of the monitor, or its ability to actually “save” your eyes or reduce eye strain. Instead, it just shows that the particular monitor “passes the test” in terms of limiting blue light.

The concept behind monitor lamps, monitor light bars, and monitor bias lighting is relatively simple. These products minimize the lighting contrast between your monitor and the surrounding area. A bright display in a dark room causes strain on the eyes, so it is better to have some ambient lighting near your computer.

So, these products probably help minimize eye strain when compared to using no monitor lighting at all. But that doesn’t mean that it makes sense to spend $100+ for a specialty monitor light bar that claims it will save your eyes. Ultimately, these monitor lamps and light bars are simply, as Dr. Shedlo puts it, “smaller lamps placed on the monitor to provide lighting to certain places on the desk. Their function can be substituted for by any suitable desk lamp pointed in the right direction.”

Although we have been critical of “eye saving” monitors, increased screen time is a legitimate concern in our society. Excessive electronics use, combined with a lack of physical activity, contributes to numerous developmental, psychological, and physical harms for users.

A 2020 report (which was sponsored by eyesafe, a developer of displays and filters for Dell, Acer, and Lenovo, we should note…) found that 94% of eye care providers are either “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about the impact of screen time on patients’ eyes.

Take breaks periodically. Some experts recommend the 20/20/20 rule, which states that after 20 minutes of screen time, you should look at an object that is 20+ feet away for 20+ seconds. This gives your eyes some time to relax.

Eye Care monitors are quickly gaining market share due to their ability to reduce blue light and flicker rate. Because most of us spend hours per day staring at screens, “eye saving” technology sounds like it would be worth every penny.

Some of the new “eye-care” and “eyesaver” monitors are legitimate, high-quality monitors that are worthy of your consideration. But don’t spend a lot of extra money on these products in the hopes of minimizing your eye strain or “saving” your eyes.

We still don’t have a “fix” for the eye strain caused by digital screens. But you can minimize the harms by taking periodic breaks, wearing correct prescription lenses, and adjusting the display brightness and ambient lighting to comfortable levels.

Forito sells blue light screen protectors and ranks as a best seller on Amazon. The brand makes screen protectors for laptops and desktop computers and claims it is a leading screen filter manufacturer.

Forito claims to use the newest blue light filtering technology. The company also states that its screen protectors are anti-static, anti-glare, and anti-scratch. They can also block 100% of UV-400 rays and protect against radiation.

This Forito protector repels water and oils and is 95% transparent. Some consumers mention it still works with touchscreens, though one may need to adjust the touch sensitivity or pressure. Another advantage is the price, which makes this product a good option for those on a budget.

MOSISO’s screen-protecting film is compatible with desktop computer screens from brands such as Apple, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard. The length of the screen protector is 12.48 in, while the width is 19.29 in.

The MOSISO screen protector maintains the original screen brightness because of its ultra-thin design. It filters 99% of UV light, and the company recommends it for office, home use, and gaming.

It is also scratch resistant. While the brand does not make any claims about glare, many reviewers point out that this protector does not reduce glare.

EYES PC offers a range of different blue light screen protector panels. These products are compatible with laptops, desktop computers, large monitors, and television screens.

This brand sells screen protectors in sizes ranging from 11-in laptop panels to panels large enough to fit a 65-in television. They are 2 millimeters (mm) thick.

EYES PC also claims the product’s test data meets Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-accepted American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z80.3 test standards.

This product has a 77% 5-star review rating, with buyers saying they have less exhaustion, headaches, and eyestrain. It is also relatively inexpensive.

It claims to protect the eyes from harmful UV and blue light — up to 99% between 300 and 400 nanometers (nm) and up to 54% between 400 and 470 nm. It also promises headache relief, better sleep, and reduced glare and reflections.

Aside from protecting against blue light and UV, the brand says this tempered glass product provides five times more protection than a typical plastic screen protector. It includes installation instructions, a 2-year warranty against scratches and damages, and free shipping.

Contrary to popular belief, sitting too close to the TV is not bad for your eyes. Years ago, safe TV viewing distance was a popular subject of debate, as the medical community warned television consumers about the dangers of radiation from TV sets.

While the concern was legitimate, the danger is not an issue today because of the invention of LCD and plasma televisions. These modern flat-panel screens do not emit radiation.

However, many people still worry that they may injure their eyes by sitting too close to the TV. While sitting close to the television will not cause injury to your eyes or vision, close viewing may cause temporary ​eye strain or eye fatigue.

Some eye care professionals recommend sitting approximately 8 to 10 feet away from the TV screen. The general rule of thumb is to be at least five times the distance from the screen as the screen is wide. For example, if your television is 32 inches wide, the optimal viewing distance is 160 inches or about 13 feet.

However, most optometrists and ophthalmologists agree that the best distance for television viewing is the distance that feels most comfortable for you. As long as you can see the screen clearly without experiencing discomfort, the distance is probably correct.

Lastly, as different types of screens have become more common in homes, the American Optometric Association promotes the 20-20-20 rule. They suggest that you take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to view a distant object that is at least 20 feet away. So, for example, if you watch your favorite movie or TV show on your laptop, take regular breaks to avoid eye strain.

Another option: If you are staring at a screen for an extended time, shift your focus from near to far. For example, if you usually stay 10 feet from a screen, move at least 20 feet away.

Although the general rule is to be at least five times the distance from the screen as the screen is wide, closer viewing distances are recommended for higher-quality televisions.

The detail of a 4K high-definition (HD) TV screen and even a regular HD TV screen allows for a closer viewing distance than a standard television screen. The pixels are smaller with these types of televisions, making it easier for the eyes to see up close.

For televisions with 4K resolution, the recommended distance for viewing is one and a half times of the vertical screen size. For HD TVs, the recommended distance is three times the TV vertical screen size.

Eye strain, or asthenopia, is an eye condition that causes a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, pain in or around the eyes, blurred vision, and occasional double vision.

Symptoms can occur after watching television at a close distance, reading, doing computer work, or performing any close activities that use the eyes. Attempting to focus on a close object for an extended period of time can tire the ciliary muscles that move the eyes, producing the symptoms of eye strain. Symptoms include:

The average person blinks around 18 times a minute, naturally refreshing and lubricating the eye. But some studies have shown that people may only blink half as often (or less) while looking at a television or computer screen. Blinking so seldom often results in dry, tired, itchy, and burning eyes.

Besides sitting too close, watching too much television, especially in the dark, can cause eye strain due to constantly focusing on a small, bright object. The dark room causes the irises of the eyes to open wider in order to let in more light, but they fail to close as much as they should to focus on the bright screen.

It seems that many kids today tend to watch content or play video games on their iPads and smartphones more than they watch television. Should parents monitor how close their kids hold their screens away from their eyes?

Most eye care professionals agree that tablets, phones, and laptops are harmless to eye health and vision. However, these devices can cause eye strain, much like watching a television. Symptoms can develop due to focusing on a much smaller screen at a very close distance to your eyes.

Make sure that your child holds their screen about arm’s length (18 to 24 inches) away from their eyes. Your child should view the screen at the level of their eyes or slightly below. Handheld digital devices such as smartphones should be held below eye level.

If your child seems to have difficulty holding their devices at this distance, enlarging the text on the screen may help. Adjusting text size can sometimes make viewing more comfortable. Also, to help prevent eye strain from occurring, encourage your kids to take frequent breaks from the screen to give their eyes a rest from focusing.

Due to the advancements of modern television screens, watching TV up close will not injure your eyes. However, watching TV from a close distance may lead to eye strain or fatigue. It is generally recommended that you sit at least five times the distance away from the screen as the screen is wide.

Also, know that viewing distance preferences can vary from person to person, and symptoms of eye strain or eye fatigue may improve with a few adjustments. You may find that sitting a bit further than usual from your television, getting a bigger or higher-definition television, or adjusting the display settings may be easier on your eyes.

Yes, TVs emit blue light. Contrary to popular belief, you will not get eye damage from exposure to blue light emitted by devices like your phone, tablet, and TV. However, it is still a good idea to be mindful of how much screen time you get, especially before bed. Late-night watching on blue light screens can make falling asleep more difficult.

When it comes to investing in your home theater, there are tons of factors you will want to consider. For projectors, and their corresponding screens, specifications, such as ambient light, lumens, and contrast ratios, are just a few of the criteria you will want to evaluate.

However, this is not quite true. While that 1080p 50-inch TV you picked up provides a clear image, it is rather limited. That is because TVs have a fixed resolution and screen size. Projectors, on the other hand, allow you the freedom to adjust and scale your image to a size that feels more comfortable for you.

In fact, thanks to technological advances, some higher end projectors can actually exceed the 1080p resolution. The resolution potential, as well as the ability to scale your images over 100-inches, means your eyes can focus on the screen without suffering the same strain they might on a TV.

When a TV receives an incoming signal, it goes through a cathode-ray tube (CRT) process. The result of the CRT is a picture that is emitted, using electrons and light, through your TV screen. In this sense, your TV emits an image towards you.

That being said, there are limits to how much brightness your eyes can handle. Have you ever suffered from headaches or tired eyes after staring at your computer screen or TV screen for long hours?

The brightness may be a factor – especially if this happens while you watch your screen in the dark. Because everyone is different, brightness is a personal factor. However, what may be fine today may become harder to handle as you age or your eyes grow more tired.

This helps to greatly reduce the level of light being captured by your eyes and, therefore, reduces stress levels on your optic nerve. For many, this makes viewing an image or movie much more comfortable.