Nowadays, remote work has become a common setup for millions of professionals. Globally, around 28% of all employees work remotely, an almost 10% increase from as recently as 2020. Remote work is so popular largely because of the flexibility it offers, especially as more workers aim for better work-life balance.
Unfortunately, this setup also necessitates more screen use. As a result, a growing number of remote workers struggle with related health concerns, the most prevalent of which is digital eye strain.
What is digital eye strain?
Digital eye strain, also called DES, is the term for an ocular condition that is typically triggered by extended periods of device use. As per the NIH, almost 60 million people have DES worldwide. More often than not, it occurs among those who spend long hours in front of screens or monitors. This is because these devices are typically unnaturally bright and situated at angles that are awkward for the eyes. As a result, the organs are forced to overexert themselves, therefore leading to a deregulation of normal eye functions. For instance, most people with DES suffer from dry eyes because the brightness of screens can result in fewer blinks.
While DES may seem fairly simple, its danger lies in the fact that it can easily progress. More often than not, its symptoms start fairly tame, with itching, redness, and some muscular discomfort. However, if untreated, this can put a significant amount of pressure on the eyes. Over time, this can lead to more serious problems, like refractive errors and even vision loss. This is why healthcare experts, like the WHO, have openly encouraged bosses to support their remote workers better. Among their recommendations are establishing strict working hours and rest days to ensure remote employees have time to let their bodies recover.
How can remote workers address this?
The good news is that DES is fairly easy to address. For starters, it helps to catch it early on so as to prevent its symptoms from worsening. Unlike other eye conditions that may need specialised exams, a standard eye test is more than enough here. As a remote worker, you can even book these online, as seen on the eye care provider OPSM. Since these straightforward yet accurate tests are able to capture the finer details of your eyes, your doctor can compare those results with your own testimony to see if you have DES. This hands-on approach is generally more nuanced than just using a ChatGPT symptom checker, as many people online tend to do. As a result, while said tool is helpful, a doctor-led test is more beneficial for DES management. Should they find you have it, they’ll be able to suggest tailored interventions that can also account for your work.
Following this, you’ll also want to adapt your working situation to be more eye-friendly. Since most screens emit blue light, which can be potentially harmful in excessive amounts as it impairs certain bodily functions, you can start by using filters against these. For instance, if you prefer to wear something on your person, you could go ahead and wear light blue glasses. These are widely available from brands like Oakley and can be used with or without prescriptions. Alternatively, you can also use direct screen filters, such as those from Ocushield. Since these are applied directly to monitors, they further limit the amount of blue light that gets into your eyes.
In closing, while DES is hard to avoid in today’s digital age, it’s important for the public to be aware of its causes, effects, and interventions. By doing so, it helps minimise DES’ serious repercussions. Among remote workers, for whom it’s impossible to avoid screen use, this awareness can result in better ocular wellness and total well-being, which can help ensure long-term professional productivity.