The amount of time that people spend looking at screens — whether it be their phones, computers, or tablets — has skyrocketed in the past decade. With this has come a rise in the number of people experiencing “digital eye strain,” a condition that can affect people of any age and may worsen over time if not addressed.
As an instructor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Department of Ophthalmology and an optometrist at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, Melanie Akau, OD, has witnessed firsthand the increasing prevalence of digital eye strain and its negative effects on patients.
“Computers aren't going away, and we’re still learning what the long-term consequences are of extensive screen time,” she says. “That’s why trying to help resolve the issues patients are experiencing is very important.”
We recently spoke with Akau, who also serves as medical director of staff education at the eye center, about digital eye strain, its effects on patients, and the steps she and her patients can take to help reduce or resolve their symptoms.
The following interview has been edited and condensed.