Aging is an inevitable fact of life. But as people age, they may experience changes in their vision. Deteriorating vision can be attributed to various causes like genetic makeup, daily activities, diet, and surroundings. Vision can even worsen due to eye strain especially if a senior spends significant time looking at a computer screen or smartphone.
But does it mean seniors should not enjoy the hobbies and comfort behind the screen? Absolutely not! At Senior Helpers Lee's Summit/South Kansas City, we are concerned about protecting the vision of our clients to maintain a vibrant and active lifestyle. We have compiled a list of tips to help seniors protect their eyes from strain while enjoying screen-based hobbies.
1. Use the 20/20/20 Rule.
Eyes are not designed for staring into something directly for a long time without a break. Seniors need to add frequent breaks from the computer or TV to give their eyes time to relax. The 20/20/20 rule specifies that if they look at a screen for about 20 minutes, they should look at something else at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Though the longer they look away from the screen, the better!
2. Reduce the Glare
Glare on computer screens is the main contributor to eye strain and can easily stop eyes from adjusting easily to the content seniors try to focus on. Use anti-glare, matte screens instead of glass-covered LCDs where possible. If seniors wear glasses, they should ensure lenses have anti-reflective coatings.
3. Ensure the Room is Well Lit
Regardless of age, eyes require light to process whatever we see. But when using screens, less lighting is better when eye strain protection is of utmost concern. It may sound counterintuitive, but the ambient lighting in rooms used by seniors to enjoy screen comfort needs to be way less bright than the average office light. Use lower voltage bulbs and reduce fluorescent lighting or close curtains to regulate the amount of light while using screens.
4. Schedule Regular Eye Exams
Vision deterioration is often a slow but steady life change. People, especially seniors, may not realize when something starts going wrong. They need to visit Optometrists regularly to examine potential problems and recommend the best remedies before everything gets out of control.
5. Adjust Screen Settings
It is easy to forget that different screen settings can be customized because they often look great straight out of their package! But eyes are different. Seniors need to adjust brightness, contrast, and picture modes depending on the environment to protect vision. They can select automatic brightness settings to ensure they don't forget the adjustments.
How Can Senior Helpers Lee's Summit/ South Kansas City Help?
Do you know of a senior struggling with eye strain while enjoying screen-based hobbies? Don't fret! At Senior Helpers Lee's Summit, we offer a comprehensive suite of services and programs to ensure our clients age in place.
We are located at Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, and Kansas City, MO, and serve different areas, including but not limited to Grain Valley, Lee's Summit, Independence, Blue Springs, Raymore, Kansas City, Grandview, Pleasant Hill, Belton, and Raytown. Contact us today or schedule an in-home assessment.