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 reached a wider audience.
Today, gamers of all ages can be found playing games on their phones, computers, and consoles. 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, as video games have become more popular, so has the number of hours spent playing them. Given that this activity naturally requires extended exposure to screens, many wonder how gaming really affects the eyes.
How Video Gaming Impacts The Eyes
Despite the endless entertainment benefits of video gaming, the activity has also been associated with many negative impacts on the eyes. Constant exposure to screens and bright lights, which emit harmful blue-violet light, can cause various symptoms.
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 negatively impact eyesight. These games require quick eye movements and frequent shifts in focus, which can overstimulate the eyes. This can lead 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 other things.
Despite the issues mentioned above, 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 done in moderation and that the eyes are consistently protected will allow you to enjoy the hobby 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 the blue light of gaming screens is to wear blue-light glasses. These glasses’ specifically designed lenses filter out blue light, which can cause eye strain, headaches, and even disrupt sleeping patterns. They also reduce glare and improve visual clarity, making gaming sessions much more comfortable.
For those who require eyesight correction, a blue light lens filter can also be combined with a prescription so that you don’t 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 designed for long periods of wear.
Utilize Screen Filters
Another way to combat excessive blue light exposure is to utilize screen filters on gaming screens. These filters 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 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 them 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, which states that one should look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes to minimize eye strain. This allows the eyes to adjust and “rest” from any taxing lights and animations that screens may have.
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 your eyes from screen time.
