Prolonged screentime can stress the eyes through the effects of bright or blue light, but it will not produce more eye floaters. However, floaters may be more noticeable when staring at a bright screen or background.
Unfortunately, eye floaters can be a real nuisance in work environments with very bright computer screens or backlighting. The best solution in these circumstances is to turn down the brightness on your computer monitor and eliminate sources of glare, such as from a window or bright lighting.
Eye fatigue is another known cause leading to eye floaters. Our eyes get tired when we look at a computer screen or watch TV for long hours. Make sure to relax our eyes by getting enough sleep at night. Sleeping at least 6 hours a day will give your eyes enough time to repair and heal.
In the long term, some studies have suggested the blue light from screens can damage retinal cells, leading to problems like age-related macular degeneration. The extent of this issue is not fully understood, but it is notably not serious enough to suddenly avoid all use of screens.
The retina is located in the back of the eye and sends signals to the brain where they become images. How they appear depends on if they are close to or further away from the retina. Head position, movement, brightness, background and fatigue can all be factors when seeing eye floaters.
Floaters usually happen because of normal changes in your eyes. As you age, tiny strands of your vitreous (the gel-like fluid that fills your eye) stick together and cast shadows on your retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye). Those shadows appear as floaters.
If you've ever noticed shadows or dark spots floating across your field of vision, you are not alone. In most cases, these “floaters” cause no harm and are common, especially as you age. However, if you experience a sudden increase in eye floaters, you should seek immediate medical attention.
High energy visible light, also known as blue rays, are produced by digital devices and easily enter your eyes, thus increasing the risk of eye problems. This light has lead to a condition known as “digital eye strain” or “computer vision syndrome”.
Potential effects of screen time, include: Eye fatigue – Your eyes can get tired from intense use causing double vision, headaches, and concentration difficulties. Dry and irritated eyes – You tend to blink less when staring at a screen and your eyes can become dry and irritated.
This is due to a condition known as Digital Eye Strain (DES), a group of eye and vision-related issues that are the result of too much screen time. The good news is DES is not permanent and there are many things you can do to help prevent it.
If you already have floaters, it's possible that excessive smoking and drinking will worsen them. Your vitreous humour, the gel-like substance we discussed earlier, is made up of 98% water. Being regularly dehydrated can make the vitreous lose its shape or shrink, contributing to the formation of floaters.
Floaters are not associated with screen time. Floaters are caused by changes to the jelly inside the eyeball called the vitreous humour and are unrelated to screen time.
If you notice a sudden increase in eye floaters, contact an eye specialist immediately — especially if you also see light flashes or lose your vision. These can be symptoms of an emergency that requires prompt attention.
For some people, floaters go away after a few minutes or a longer period of time. For others, they are permanent—they might change in size or number, but they are always present.
Eye Strain and Headaches - Too much time spent looking at screens can cause fatigue or discomfort in your eyes as well as dimmed vision. Glare on screens and the brightness of the display can place further strain on your eyes. Eventually, this strain can lead to headaches.
No studies to date have demonstrated that reduced screen time can cure or reduce myopia that has already developed. Several studies have found that spending many hours on screen time is associated with an increased risk of myopia development.
There is no consensus on the safe amount of screen time for adults. Ideally, adults should limit their screen time similar to children and only use screens for about two hours a day. However, many adults spend up to 11 hours a day looking at a screen.
Blue-light glasses have specific lenses that are said to provide relief from blue light associated with screens while protecting eye health.
This is to avoid prolonged time spent in close-up vision, which can lead to eye strain and is linked to myopia. The two-hour rule. This is aiming to limit leisure or recreational screen time, outside of study or work, to less than 2 hours per day.
Probably not! However, if you see floaters all the time and, worse yet, they begin to interfere with your vision, then it's time to schedule an appointment with us. As we always say; any major change in your vision is worth a visit.
Can eye floaters fluctuate from day to day or throughout the day? Yes, they can vary in different light conditions and can appear more prominent against light backgrounds. Some people notice floaters more when they are tired or at the end of the day.
The floaters often subside starting within a few days, and all but a few settle to the bottom of the eye and disappear within a 6-month period. Some residual floaters can be seen for life.