Video gaming has become a popular pastime and source of entertainment for many individuals. What was once considered an activity for children and teenagers has now branched out to a wider audience. Today, gamers of all ages can be found playing gaming on their phones, computers, and consoles. In fact, gaming has become so prominent in the past few decades that electronic sports, more commonly known as esports, have been established as professional competitions.
However, along with the popularity of video games rising, so has the number of hours spent playing them. This makes many wonder how gaming really affects the eyes, given that this activity naturally requires extended exposure to screens.
How Video Gaming Impacts The Eyes
Despite the endless entertainment benefits that video gaming provides, the activity has also been associated with many negative impacts on the eyes. Constant exposure to screens and bright lights can cause various symptoms due to the harmful blue-violet light they emit. These include eye strain, dry eyes, and even blurred vision. Moreover, this blue-violet light can also disrupt natural sleeping patterns, leading to eye fatigue and various other health issues.
The fast-paced and high-intensity nature of many video games can also have a negative impact on eyesight, as they require quick eye movements and frequent shifts in focus. This can overstimulate the eyes, leading to a decrease in blink rate and insufficient lubrication, often resulting in dry and irritated eyes. Furthermore, excessive gaming can cause many individuals to neglect their eye health by not taking breaks from screen time and playing in poor lighting conditions, among others.
Despite the aforementioned issues, the way to prevent gaming-related eye issues is not to stop the hobby entirely. Rather, taking proactive measures to ensure that video gaming is being done in moderation and that the eyes are consistently being protected will allow you to enjoy without sacrificing your eye health.
Ways You Can Protect Your Eyes While Gaming
Invest in Blue Light Glasses
A popular way to protect the eyes from gaming screens’ blue light is by wearing blue light glasses. The specifically designed lenses of these glasses filter out blue light, which can cause eye strain, headaches, and even disrupt sleeping patterns. On top of this, blue light glasses reduce glare and improve visual clarity, making gaming sessions a lot more comfortable.
For those who require eyesight correction, a blue light lens filter can also be combined with your prescription so as not to sacrifice either eye protection or correction while gaming. Reputable brands like Coach offer these glasses in customizable frames, prescriptions, and lens features, making their specs versatile enough for gaming and other activities. If you’re a hardcore gamer, though, brands like Oakley have specialty gaming glasses that are designed for long periods of wear.
Utilize Screen Filters
Another way to combat excessive blue light exposure is by utilizing screen filters on gaming screens. With screen filters, you can further reduce the amount of blue light entering your eyes and lessen the strain your eyes experience while gaming. Additionally, some physical screen filters also have anti-glare properties, making it easier to see the screen without feeling any discomfort. Gaming accessories brand Hori USA has developed physical screen filters for some of the most popular gaming consoles, like the Nintendo Switch, making it easily accessible to many.
Take Frequent Breaks
It is essential to take frequent breaks while gaming to protect the eyes from strain and potential damage. One of the most well-known ways to practice this is the 20-20-20 rule, wherein one looks at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes can minimize eye strain. This lets the eyes adjust and “rest” from any taxing lights and animations that screens may have.
In fact, even taking breaks between game rounds or levels is a good habit to build, as it will greatly help keep the eyes healthy in the long run. Be sure not to spend these breaks scrolling through your smartphone or watching TV, as it defeats the purpose of resting the eyes from screen time.
