As of 2020, there are approximately 2.7 billion gamers across the globe who play video games around 8.45 hours per week. If you’re reading this, chances are you enjoy playing video games as well.
Playing video games is a fun hobby. However, all of that time you spend playing video games can take a toll on your eyes, especially if you wear contact lenses. Playing video games for extended periods can result in eye redness, dry eyes, dizziness, and other symptoms of eye strain.
In this post, Lens.com discusses several tips you should follow to relieve eye strain while playing video games with contact lenses.
- Take frequent breaks
Staring at your television or computer screen for hours on end causes digital eye strain. It’s a common problem among gamers.
Digital eye strain refers to a set of vision-related problems that arise from your eyes’ extended focus on television screens, computer monitors, and other devices with screens that emit blue light. Taking breaks and resting your eyes regularly can prevent digital eye strain.
An effective method you can use for taking breaks is the 20-20-20 rule. California-based optometrist Jeffrey Anshel developed the 20-20-20 rule as a means to help people relieve the symptoms of digital eye strain.
Practicing the 20-20-20 rule is simple: Every 20 minutes, give your eyes a break by looking at an object that’s 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Viewing something in the distance relaxes your eye muscles.
To help you follow the 20-20-20 rule, you can set an alarm on your phone. You should also consider how your eyes feel. If your eyes are already sore, don’t wait 20 minutes. Go ahead and rest your eyes.
- Keep your distance
Avoid sitting too close to your television screen or computer monitor. Doing so will only exacerbate your eye strain.
When it comes to TV screens, experts recommend a sitting distance that is 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal width of your TV screen. For example, if you have a 50-inch TV, then you should sit at least 75 inches or 6.25 feet away from the screen.
For computer monitors, the distance is much more forgiving. When playing on a desktop or laptop computer, your eyes should be around 20 to 24 inches (about an arm’s length) away from the screen.
- Moisturize your eyes
One of the most common problems gamers face is dry eyes. An easy solution to dry eyes is to use over-the-counter artificial tears or lubricant eye drops. These products moisturize the eyes and alleviate symptoms of eye strain such as dry eyes. You can find artificial tears or lubricant eye drops at any drug store, and they are safe for the eyes as long as you use them as intended. Keeping your body hydrated also goes a long way with enabling your eyes to stay moist, as it’s all too easy to forget to do this while gaming.
There are a variety of contact brands out there, and there is no single brand that is the best for everyone. You may have to test out a few different ones to figure out which brand is right for you. Lens.com’s top-selling daily disposable contacts is 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST and ACUVUE OASYS for two-week disposables, both of which feature technology to guard against dry eyes exacerbated by taxing environments like the use of digital devices.
Conclusion
Follow these tips and you can enjoy playing video games without having to worry too much about eye strain. Just keep in mind that the information in this article is not meant to replace the advice of a licensed eye care professional. If you still experience eye strain after following the advice in this article, consult your eye care professional immediately.
