Essential Eye Health Tips for Serious Gamers
The Academy of Animated Art estimates that, as of 2024, there are about 3.2 billion video gamers worldwide. For some, it's an outlet to relieve stress and spend time with friends, while others have found ways to make money through gaming. As we discussed in a previous article, gaming can be lucrative. People can sell in-game items for real money, participate in online tournaments, become a Twitch streamer, or join a professional esports team. All of this requires dedication, so it may come as no surprise that some professional gamers play for over eight hours per day honing their skills.
However, prolonged screen time has downsides, particularly in terms of eye health. In the 2022 International Gaming Study, researchers found that about 46.1% of participants experienced eye fatigue as well as other symptoms of digital eye strain. For serious gamers, maintaining good eye health is crucial to sustaining performance and enjoying the gaming experience without discomfort or long-term damage. Here are four essential eye health tips that every dedicated gamer should incorporate into their routine.
Aside from eye fatigue, the same study cited above indicates that gamers experience negative physical symptoms like hand, wrist, back, and neck pain. Fortunately, all of these can be addressed by paying more attention to your gaming setup. For example, you can position your screen at eye level and about 20 to 30 inches away from your face. Doing so minimizes visual and physical strain and having to constantly adjust your eyes' focus.
Proper lighting is equally important. Avoid having bright lights directly behind your screen, as this can cause glare. Instead, use ambient lighting like the TW Lighting Ivy LED Desk Lamp. This way, you can reduce reflections on your screen and ensure there's still adequate light to prevent eye strain.
Blue light glasses are a popular tool for gamers to protect their eyes from the potentially harmful effects of extended screen time. These glasses are designed to filter out blue-violet light emitted by natural and artificial sources that can contribute to eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns. Incorporating blue light glasses into your gaming routine equips you with an additional layer of defense, promotes healthier eyes, and enhances overall visual comfort.
When selecting blue light glasses, look for frames with thin arms that won't get in the way of your headset. The 0OX3174 by Oakley and the Target Optical exclusive 0A32041 model by A New Day are both good options. These glasses are also anti-reflective, lightweight, and comfortable to wear for extended gameplay.
According to a study presented at the 2023 EastWest Eye Care Conference, prolonged periods of gaming may contribute to the development of dry eye symptoms in young adults. This is because watching screens can reduce blink rate by as much as 50%. To mitigate the risk of developing dry eyes, experts recommend that gamers take frequent screen breaks. One way to make this a habit is by downloading eye-health games like the American Optometric Association's Blink Land. This free game teaches users to follow the 20-20-20 rule of looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes and gamifies simple habits like blinking.
Additionally, gamers can keep their eyes hydrated by using Refresh Digital lubricating eye drops to combat the drying effects of screen exposure. These eye drops feature proprietary HydroCell™ technology that supports all three layers of the tear film. Gamers should use them as needed to keep their eyes moist and comfortable.
Implement these tips to maintain optimal eye health and enjoy your favorite games without discomfort or worry.
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However, prolonged screen time has downsides, particularly in terms of eye health. In the 2022 International Gaming Study, researchers found that about 46.1% of participants experienced eye fatigue as well as other symptoms of digital eye strain. For serious gamers, maintaining good eye health is crucial to sustaining performance and enjoying the gaming experience without discomfort or long-term damage. Here are four essential eye health tips that every dedicated gamer should incorporate into their routine.
Create a visually ergonomic gaming setup
Aside from eye fatigue, the same study cited above indicates that gamers experience negative physical symptoms like hand, wrist, back, and neck pain. Fortunately, all of these can be addressed by paying more attention to your gaming setup. For example, you can position your screen at eye level and about 20 to 30 inches away from your face. Doing so minimizes visual and physical strain and having to constantly adjust your eyes' focus.
Proper lighting is equally important. Avoid having bright lights directly behind your screen, as this can cause glare. Instead, use ambient lighting like the TW Lighting Ivy LED Desk Lamp. This way, you can reduce reflections on your screen and ensure there's still adequate light to prevent eye strain.
Wear blue light glasses
Blue light glasses are a popular tool for gamers to protect their eyes from the potentially harmful effects of extended screen time. These glasses are designed to filter out blue-violet light emitted by natural and artificial sources that can contribute to eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns. Incorporating blue light glasses into your gaming routine equips you with an additional layer of defense, promotes healthier eyes, and enhances overall visual comfort.
When selecting blue light glasses, look for frames with thin arms that won't get in the way of your headset. The 0OX3174 by Oakley and the Target Optical exclusive 0A32041 model by A New Day are both good options. These glasses are also anti-reflective, lightweight, and comfortable to wear for extended gameplay.
Adopt healthier screen habits
According to a study presented at the 2023 EastWest Eye Care Conference, prolonged periods of gaming may contribute to the development of dry eye symptoms in young adults. This is because watching screens can reduce blink rate by as much as 50%. To mitigate the risk of developing dry eyes, experts recommend that gamers take frequent screen breaks. One way to make this a habit is by downloading eye-health games like the American Optometric Association's Blink Land. This free game teaches users to follow the 20-20-20 rule of looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes and gamifies simple habits like blinking.
Additionally, gamers can keep their eyes hydrated by using Refresh Digital lubricating eye drops to combat the drying effects of screen exposure. These eye drops feature proprietary HydroCell™ technology that supports all three layers of the tear film. Gamers should use them as needed to keep their eyes moist and comfortable.
Implement these tips to maintain optimal eye health and enjoy your favorite games without discomfort or worry.
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