For gamers, nothing comes close to the feeling of losing yourself in your favourite video game for hours. After all, the adrenaline rush caused by virtual adventures and intense online battles can help fuel your sense of accomplishment. Studies have also shown that gaming is good for your brain, as it helps improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills, promotes creativity, and encourages teamwork. But while video games can be beneficial to some extent, playing for extended periods may compromise your eyesight.
Studies show that 52% of individuals who excessively played games experienced eye fatigue or vision strain. Eye strain is accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms like blurry vision, dry eyes, and headaches. Dealing with this condition not only affects your gaming experience but also impacts your vision. With that being said, here’s what you can do if you’re experiencing eye strain and blurry vision after gaming:
Get your eyes checked
Eye strain, blurry vision, and headaches after gaming may be signs of a serious condition like a corneal disease or glaucoma, which both cause the same symptoms, so it’s best to have your eyes checked to be sure. Getting regular eye tests can help you assess your overall vision health and detect possible vision problems that may be causing eye strain and blurry vision. On retailer OPSM’s website, all you need to do is enter your postal code, select a nearby store, choose a preferred schedule and eye doctor, and fill out your contact information to book your eye exam online. You can also call around nearby opticians to see which ones in your area offer eye exams. By getting checked regularly, you can prevent eye diseases from developing and hampering your gaming experience and daily activities.
Use a blue light filter for your monitor
If you often deal with eye strain and blurry vision after playing video games, it’s probably time to make necessary adjustments to your gaming setup. For instance, you can opt to use filters that can limit harsh blue light emitted by your devices, which can cause eye strain. Start by investing in gaming monitors with built-in BlueLightShield technology, like the Acer Nitro 27” PC Gaming IPS Monitor. This technology helps reduce harmful blue light while maintaining colour accuracy, allowing you to enjoy high-quality graphics without sacrificing vision comfort. Putting on blue light screen protectors on your other gaming devices is another way to ensure an eye-healthy gaming experience, so try doing some research to see what’s available for your preferred consoles.
Moisturize your eyes
Moisturizing your eyes is another effective way to help you deal with eye strain and blurry vision. Research shows that excessive digital device usage reduces blinking, resulting in dry eyes, a common symptom of eye strain and a condition that can cause blurry vision. Dry eye disease can also cause a painful or uncomfortable burning sensation to the eyes, ruining a supposedly fun gaming experience. Using eye drops can provide relief by replacing the eyes’ natural tears, and studies show that preservative-free artificial tears with hyaluronic acid can help gamers improve their vision comfort. You can use eye drops before using your computer to ensure comfort while playing.
Take a break
Ultimately, experiencing eye strain and blurry vision after playing may be a sign that you should rest your eyes for a bit. In between gaming sessions, you can practise eye-healthy habits like rapid blinking or follow the 20-20-20 rule: for every 20 minutes, pause your game and look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. These exercises can prevent your eyes from getting overworked. Experiencing eye strain and blurry vision may also indicate a need to go out and touch some grass – literally. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors can help your eyes relax by focusing on distant objects, and natural light can stimulate the retina, which improves visual function.
There’s no denying that video games provide fun and excitement, but staring at your screen and playing for extensive periods can cause eye strain and blurry vision. Follow these tips to help you enjoy playing without sacrificing your ocular health.