How does spending time on screens affect our eyes?

We know that doing prolonged near work, where you are sitting close to a screen, can promote the development of myopia (nearsightedness) in the growing eyes of young children. This is also true of books or other activities that require close-up work.

Prolonged screen use can also lead to tired or dry eyes. This is because when we concentrate on something, we tend to not blink enough. Blinking is important because it spreads tears evenly over our eyes, and it should happen on average 15 times per minute.

What symptoms indicate there may be reason for concern?

There is nothing inherently dangerous about looking at screens, but if you are noticing changes in your vision, reach out to your doctor. Any loss of vision or significant visual symptoms should be investigated.

Generally, for tired or dry eyes, rest and lubricating eye drops can offer some relief. Using a humidifier in the space where you do most of your online work can also be helpful.

Does the type or size of screen matter?

No. Just make sure the font size is at a comfortable setting to read without straining.

Are there recommendations for the amount of time children or adults should be online every day?

In terms of your eye health, there are no formal recommendations. You may have heard of the 20-20-20 rule, which will definitely help give your eyes a rest: every 20 minutes, look at something that is at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If you are spending significant amounts of time online, you might find that frequent breaks will help give your eyes, and body, a good rest and stretch.

Are certain screen settings better than others?

Some people prefer cutting the glare on their screens by using a filter or choosing settings like night mode, which eliminates blue light. There is no specific setting I recommend to my patients as this is really all about personal preference.

Any other tips?

For everyone, including children as they grow and develop, remember that regular eye exams are important. They are an opportunity to discuss any concerns or changes and to examine the eye for more serious problems.

The post Protecting your eyes from increased screen time appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Did anyone else hear that gem at the dinner table back in the day? Or, perhaps you say it to your kids when they glumly push those carrots around their dinner plate?

Turns out, it’s not exactly the truth. But it’s not quite a lie either, says Dr. Peter Kertes, Chief of Ophthalmology at Sunnybrook.

That’s because what’s good for you is good for your eyes, he says.

“Your eyes are a key to your health – an examination of your eyes can provide a look at your overall systemic health,” Dr. Kertes explains. “High blood pressure and diabetes can both lead to trouble in your eyes. And, eating leafy green vegetables, kale, broccoli, carrots, fish – all that good stuff – can help lower your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, and in turn, help your eyes.”

Macular degeneration is the most common cause of blindness in the Western world. Studies have found that people with macular degeneration lose less vision if they have a diet rich with green leafy vegetables and fish, Dr. Kertes said.

“That’s been translated into clinical trials that have recommended supplements to obtain the nutrients and vitamins found in those foods to help prevent vision loss due to macular degeneration.”

That doesn’t mean everyone should be on those vitamins, he added.

“There’s no evidence to suggest that eating those things cause everyone to have better vision. The study took place among people with macular degeneration,” he said.

While there’s no evidence that eating a pile of carrots will grant you 20/20 vision, carrots do contain beta-carotene, one class of carotenoids. Beta-carotene is a naturally occurring pigment that gives carrots their orange colour. Healthy eyes do need carotenoids along with other vitamins, Dr. Kertes said.

“Vitamin A, C, zinc and lutein are all important for keeping your eyes healthy,” he said. “You get those in those vegetables I mentioned, along with fish.”

And, if you smoke, consider quitting for your eye health, Dr. Kertes said.

“Smoking cigarettes can increase your risk of macular degeneration and other eye issues,” he said.

So, will eating carrots make you have 20/20 vision? There’s no evidence of that. Is it OK to tell your kids: “Eat your veg. It’s good for your eyes”?

Absolutely.

The post What should you eat for your eyes? appeared first on Your Health Matters.

“The lens that sits behind the iris helps our eyes focus. It changes as we age and becomes less malleable,” he said. “Because it can’t change shape as it once did, we may have trouble seeing things up close around age 40.”

So, it might be time for reading glasses.

“If the ‘cheater’ glasses you can find at a pharmacy help you see better, those are fine,” he said. “But you may get better vision correction from prescription lenses.”

It’s important to get your eyes checked regularly, Dr. Kertes said.

In addition to how well you see, he said, a visit to the eye doctor can help determine your risk for other age-related diseases of the eye:

Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve that results in vision loss over time. But it can sneak up on you, so it’s important to keep up with your regular eye checks. Glaucoma can be controlled through special eye drops, surgical correction and regular eye exams to keep watch on progression.

Cataracts: Cataracts are the clouding of the lens of your eye (which is normally clear). Cataracts cause blurred vision. Basically, everyone who lives into older age will develop cataracts, Dr. Kertes said. They are very common and very treatable.

Macular Degeneration: This is the deterioration of the part of the retina that’s responsible for your central straight-ahead vision. Macular degeneration is common as we age. Usually there are symptoms like blurred or distorted vision or difficulty with central, straight-ahead vision. A family history of macular degeneration can raise your risk. A history of smoking cigarettes also increases your risk.

As for prevention of age-related issues of the eyes, Dr. Kertes says follow this rule: “What’s good for you is good for your eyes.”

• If you smoke, consider quitting.
• Eat a well-balanced diet with lots of green, leafy vegetables and omega 3s (from fish and nuts).
• Control your blood pressure and blood sugar. High blood sugar and high blood pressure can put you at risk for diabetic retinopathy, a complication that’s caused by damage to the blood vessels in the eyes. (Exercise and eat a well-balanced diet. Talk to your doctor about blood pressure and blood sugar if you want to know more).

The post What does aging do to our eyes? appeared first on Your Health Matters.