In today’s digital age, screens are an integral part of our daily lives. Whether it’s for work, school, or leisure, the time spent in front of computers, tablets, and smartphones has dramatically increased. While technology offers numerous conveniences, prolonged exposure to digital screens can take a toll on our eye health. Understanding these effects and learning how to protect your eyes is essential to maintaining long-term vision health.

How Digital Screens Affect Your Eyes

One of the most common conditions associated with excessive screen use is digital eye strain, sometimes referred to as computer vision syndrome. This occurs when your eyes become fatigued after long periods of screen exposure without sufficient breaks. Symptoms can include blurred vision, eye discomfort, dryness, and headaches. Over time, untreated eye strain can lead to more persistent discomfort and even affect your productivity or daily activities.

When you stare at a screen, your blink rate decreases significantly. Blinking helps to keep the eyes moist and reduces dryness, but when this natural process is interrupted, it can lead to dry eyes and irritation. Many people also experience glare from screens, which adds to visual discomfort and makes it harder to focus. Additionally, poor posture or improper positioning of your devices can exacerbate neck, back, and shoulder strain, further contributing to overall discomfort.

Another growing concern is the effect of blue light emitted by digital devices. While blue light is naturally present in sunlight, excessive exposure to artificial sources from screens can interfere with your sleep cycle and potentially cause long-term damage to the retina.

Protecting Your Eyes from Digital Strain

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to protect your eyes from the effects of prolonged screen use:

1. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This simple practice reduces eye strain and allows your eyes to relax.
2. Adjust Your Screen Settings: Make sure your screen brightness is comfortable and reduce glare by adjusting lighting in your workspace. Position your screen at eye level and about 20-24 inches from your face to minimize strain.
3. Use Blue Light Filters: Many devices now offer a night mode or blue light filter, which reduces the intensity of blue light exposure. Blue light-blocking glasses are also available and can be helpful if you’re spending long hours on screens.
4. Stay Hydrated and Blink Often: Conscious blinking and staying hydrated help maintain moisture in the eyes. If you still experience dryness, consider using lubricating eye drops.

Take Steps to Protect Your Vision Today

At Berks Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we prioritize the health of your eyes. If you are experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain or are concerned about the effects of screen use on your vision, schedule an appointment with us. Our team of specialists in Reading, PA, is here to help you preserve your eye health and offer personalized strategies for maintaining clear and comfortable vision.

As we age, maintaining good eye health becomes even more essential. For adults over 65, regular eye care is crucial to preserving vision and preventing age-related conditions. At Berks Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we are dedicated to helping seniors take proactive steps to protect their eyesight and overall well-being.

Common Age-Related Eye Conditions

Adults over 65 are at a higher risk for several eye conditions that can significantly affect vision and quality of life. Some of the most common include:

• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s natural lens, making vision blurry or dim. Cataracts are highly treatable with surgery, but early detection is key.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): This condition affects the central part of the retina (the macula) and can result in loss of central vision, making tasks like reading or recognizing faces difficult.
• Glaucoma: A condition where increased pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve, potentially leading to blindness if untreated. Regular screening can help detect glaucoma before significant damage occurs.
• Diabetic Retinopathy: This affects individuals with diabetes, where high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the retina, potentially leading to vision loss if not managed.

Importance of Regular Eye Exams

For adults over 65, regular comprehensive eye exams are essential. Even if you feel your vision is fine, some eye conditions develop gradually and may not show symptoms until they have progressed. Early detection allows for prompt treatment, helping prevent vision loss. During an eye exam, our specialists at Berks Eye Physicians & Surgeons will screen for various conditions and assess your overall eye health.

Protecting Your Eyes as You Age

There are several steps you can take to maintain good eye health as you age:

• Eat a Healthy Diet: A diet rich in leafy greens, colorful fruits, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids can support eye health.
• Quit Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye conditions. Quitting smoking at any age can improve your eye health.
• Wear Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays by wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB light.
• Manage Chronic Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can impact your vision. Keeping these conditions under control with the help of your healthcare provider will support your eye health.

Take Charge of Your Eye Health Today

Maintaining your vision and eye health as you age requires a proactive approach. At Berks Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we encourage all adults over 65 to schedule regular eye exams and adopt healthy lifestyle habits to protect their sight. Don’t wait until symptoms appear — contact our office in Reading, PA, today to schedule your eye exam and take the first step toward preserving your vision for years to come.

The negative health effects associated with smoking are widely known. Cigarettes alone contain many toxic ingredients that can cause serious harm to the organs. Smoking also poses a unique risk to the health of the eyes. People who smoke are at an increased risk of developing vision-threatening eye diseases, including cataracts. The experts at Berks Eye recommend regular eye exams if you are a smoker or were one previously. Continue reading for more information about how smoking can jeopardize your vision.

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a serious condition that can significantly affect central vision. If you smoke, the retinal blood vessels may constrict, which increases your blood pressure and puts you at a greater risk of experiencing permanent vision loss from AMD.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a leading cause of vision loss. A cataract occurs when the eye’s natural lens, which is usually clear, becomes clouded. This leads to obscured vision, sensitivity to light, and trouble seeing at night or in low-light environments. Smoking and the toxins associated with it can ultimately increase the amount of free radicals your eye is exposed to, which can negatively impact proteins in the eye and lead to deposits on the lens of the eye. Antioxidants are helpful at reducing the effects of free radicals, but if you smoke, even consuming an antioxidant-rich diet may be ineffective in removing the threat.

Retinal Detachment

When delicate blood vessels in the eye become swollen, they can sometimes rupture and leak fluid into the retina, causing detachment. Smoking significantly increases bodily inflammation, making swollen vessels more likely.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye is an eye condition that affects the tears that nourish and protect the cornea. Burning, itchiness, redness, and foreign object sensation are all symptoms of this condition. The harsh chemicals within smoke can irritate the eyes, leading to these bothersome symptoms. Smoking, as well as exposure to smoke secondhand, increases the risk of experiencing dry eye syndrome.

Optic Nerve Issues

The optic nerve links the eyes to the brain. When this connection is damaged, permanent vision loss can follow. Smokers are put at a greater risk for optic nerve issues.

Healthy Vision in Wyomissing

Healthy lifestyle choices can lead to healthy eyes. Smoking can cause a number of eye-related diseases. Even being exposed to secondhand smoke can lead to eye issues. Smokers who quit are taking the first step to the health of their vision, but the damage that smoking causes can endure until it is treated. Berks Eye provides ophthalmic, optometric, and optical services designed to help you maintain or improve your eye health and vision. Contact our office today to schedule an eye exam.

By: Dr. Benjamin Nicholas, Berks Eye Physicians & Surgeons

Over the past few months, you may have heard some concerning stories about devastating side effects from artificial tears. These eyedrops are meant to supplement a deficient tear film and clear mucus away from the ocular surface to alleviate the symptoms of a dry eye. Dry eye itself is extremely common with an estimated prevalence of greater than 16 million patients back in 2017 (1), and these over-the-counter eye drops are almost universally recommended by eye doctors on account of their good safety profile and effectiveness. “You can never OD on an artificial tear,” said one of my mentors. So, what’s all the fuss?

Eye health is important to your quality of life. Regular eye exams are the best way to detect and treat eye conditions. Here, the knowledgeable team at Berks Eye discusses five common eye conditions, including their symptoms and treatments.

In recent years, working remotely has become the new normal, with many workers having to adjust to using their homes as their primary workplace. Unfortunately, this meant that spending hours in front of a computer screen, too, has become standard practice. As a consequence, reports of eye strain and other symptoms have become more prevalent. The good news is that for those who use computers as a core part of their job, there are a few things that can be done at work to improve eye wellness.

Take Breaks for Optimal Eye Health

Looking at a computer screen over long periods can lead to symptoms such as dry and tired eyes. Taking frequent breaks allows your eyes to rest. Keep in mind that your eye break should extend to all screens; it is not helpful to take a break from your work computer, only to pull out your smartphone during that time. Instead, consider gazing out of an open window or even shutting your eyes for a few seconds. A total eye break is essential to helping your eyes feel their best.

Keep an Appropriate Distance

Avoid sitting too close to your computer screen. You should position yourself about an arm’s length away from your computer screen. Make sure to adjust the screen brightness so that your vision is comfortable while looking at the screen and not strained.

Use Eye Drops

If you suffer from dry eyes, consider using eye drops to help with eye comfort. Eye drops, also known as artificial tears, can provide nourishment to the eyes and stave off the effects of dry eyes. Apply your drops as recommended for the full effect. The doctors at Berks Eye can recommend brands of over-the-counter eye drops that may work best for you.

Humidifiers

If you work in a low-moisture environment, including at home, investing in a humidifier could do wonders for your eye wellness. These devices increase the level of moisture in the air, which can help improve the way your eyes feel while working. There are even desktop humidifiers that are compact and fit conveniently into your workspace.

Protect Your Eyes

Eye wellness does not exclusively apply to those in an office setting. Individuals that work in high-risk environments, such as construction sites or manufacturing facilities, should be wearing protective eyewear on the job to prevent severe eye injuries.

Prioritize Your Eye Wellness with Berks Eye Physicians & Surgeons

Do not take your eye health for granted. To maintain a lifetime of healthy vision, adults ages 18 to 60 should have a comprehensive eye exam at least once every two years. Older adults (ages 65 and older) should have annual eye exams. Schedule an eye exam with one of our experienced ophthalmologists or optometrists today by contacting us at our office at (610) 372-0712 or scheduling online at Berkseye.com.

Consuming healthy foods and taking certain supplements decreases the likelihood of developing several common eye conditions. This includes age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in those 60 and up. The eye care specialists at Berk’s Eye Physicians and Surgeons Ltd. of Reading, PA explain the benefits of good nutrition for eye health.

Eye Healthy Diet

The American Optometric Association recommends adding particular dietary nutrients to preserve vision and protect against certain eye diseases. For overall health, Americans are urged to eat at least five fruits and vegetables daily. Along with regular exercise, a healthy diet may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure and other cardiac-related ailments may prove harmful to eye health. Taking good care of yourself requires a holistic approach.

Fruits and vegetables that may boost eye health include:

• Citrus fruits
• Leafy greens
• Nuts
• Sweet potatoes
• Tomatoes

Omega-3 fatty acids are another essential element for eye health. These fatty acids aid retinal function and assist visual development. They can help prevent dry eye and lessen the odds of AMD development. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Fish
• Flaxseed
• Leafy greens

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements  

Obtaining nutrients through foods is the best route for eye health, but taking the right vitamins and supplements also plays a role. Vitamins and minerals critical for eye health include:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Lutein
• Zeaxanthin
• Zinc

Most of these vitamins are antioxidants. Antioxidants battle the free radicals that break down healthy tissue, including eye tissue. Antioxidants may help in cataract prevention.  Vitamin C intake is especially valuable in cataract reduction, as are lutein and zeaxanthin.

In addition to supplements designed specifically for eye health, you may want to take fish or flaxseed oil capsules for the omega-3 fatty acids. That is probably the most effective way to ensure you are receiving an adequate amount of omega-3 fatty acids if you do not like to eat fish.

AREDS Study

The National Eye Institute sponsored the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). This major clinical study involved 3,640 people between the ages of 55 and 80. The results showed that taking a vitamin or mineral supplement reduced the progression of AMD by roughly 25 percent. Some of the subjects reduced their visual acuity loss by 19 percent.

Follow-up studies indicate that those with a high dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce the risk of geographic atrophy, the advanced form of AMD.   

Contact Us

If you would like more information about the role nutrition plays in eye health, contact the eye care specialists at Berks Eye in Reading, PA to schedule a consultation. We can advise you on the best eye care vitamin and mineral supplements for your individual needs.

Most of us already know how important it is to protect our skin from the power of the sun. The effects of damage from ultraviolet solar rays are obvious: dry, wrinkled skin, sun spots, and in too many cases, skin cancer. The trusted vision care team at Berks Eye Physicians and Surgeons reminds you that your eyes are much more sensitive than your skin, and need a level of protection at least as strong as the sunscreen you use daily.

Costs of Neglect

The consequences of subjecting your eyes to years of unprotected exposure to ultraviolet rays can be severe — for your eyes and for the delicate skin surrounding your eyes. In fact, up to 10 percent of all skin cancers occur on the fragile skin near your eyes. The eyelids are a common location for this type of malignancy.

For the eye itself, long-term exposure to the sun can cause cataracts; macular degeneration, which often leads to total loss of vision; pterygia, which are growths on the eye; and photokeratitis, which is essentially a sunburn on the eye.

Framing the Issue

Given these facts, it’s clear that sunglasses should be an indispensable daytime fashion accessory for everyone. And it’s also clear that when it comes to the health of your eyes and the sharpness of your vision, frugality is not a virtue.

Those cheap sunglasses you see on the rack at the drugstore can be quite costly in the long run. Most of these inexpensive varieties block only part of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Meanwhile, they trick you — and your eyes — into thinking that you are wearing adequate protection. The darker lenses of the sunglasses reduce visible light, and in response your pupils dilate. In doing so, they are allowing a higher intensity of ultraviolet light to enter and begin damaging the retina.

For optimal protection from all these risks, look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVB and UVA ultraviolet rays. If the label includes a UV 400 notation, that is a sign that the product offers complete blockage of ultraviolet light.

Because much of the ultraviolet light reaching your eyes is reflected off the inner surface of the lenses or penetrates through the side, wraparound or large, snug-fitting sunglasses are ideal. Wraparound sunglasses have the added benefit of protecting more of the delicate skin near your eyes. Some types of sunglasses feature anti-reflective coatings for the inner lenses. Polarized lenses are also a prudent investment, as these lenses almost always provide exemplary protection from damaging ultraviolet rays.

If you would like to learn more about ways to protect your eyes from UV rays, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation in our Reading office with one of the skilled ophthalmologists at Berks Eye Physicians and Surgeons today.