For many people, playing video games is a beloved hobby. While this activity might provide entertainment, it can damage your optic health without proper precautions. The following preventative steps can help you avoid an unnecessary trip to the eye doctor.

How to Protect Your Eyes While Gaming

1. Protect Against Blue Light

Electronics, such as TVs and computer screens, emit blue light rays, which are damaging to the eyes. After prolonged exposure, you might experience eye fatigue, headaches, and eye strain.

If you like to spend hours in front of these appliances, talk to your eye doctor about investing in a pair of protective glasses. The lenses in these appliances filter out blue light rays to minimize the aforementioned symptoms. 

2. Modify Your Setup

The height and distance of your gaming system can lead to eye strain. If it’s too close or far away, or too high or low from your direct field of vision, it could weaken the optic muscles.

Over time, this may cause near- or far-sightedness. Keep the screen roughly an arm’s length away and at eye-level for optimum viewing. 

3. Take Regular Breaks

Eye doctors recommend taking routine breaks whenever you spend prolonged periods looking at a screen. Try following the 20-20-20 rule.

Every 20 minutes, stop what you’re doing and look at an object 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. This will give the eye muscles responsible for up-close viewing a chance to relax and allow you to use the muscles responsible for far-away viewing.

If you need help protecting your eye health while gaming, turn to the optometrists at Clear Vision Center in Brooklyn, NY. These reputable eye doctors are proud to provide a broad range of services, from vision tests to prescriptions for contact lenses. Visit their website to learn more about their offerings, or call (718) 771-0078 to schedule an appointment.