In today’s digital age, spending hours in front of screens has become the norm. From smartphones and computers to tablets and televisions, we rely on digital devices more than ever. While technology offers countless benefits, it can also lead to visual stress and digital eye strain. These conditions affect many people, causing discomfort and impacting productivity. Fortunately, vision therapy can provide relief and long-term solutions for those struggling with visual stress and digital eye strain.
 

Understanding Visual Stress and Digital Eye Strain

Visual stress and digital eye strain occur when the eyes become fatigued from prolonged screen use. Common symptoms include:
 

•           Headaches

•           Blurred vision

•           Dry eyes

•           Eye discomfort

•           Difficulty concentrating

•           Neck and shoulder pain
 

The blue light emitted from digital devices, coupled with the constant focus required for reading text or viewing images, places significant strain on the eyes. This can result in temporary or even lasting visual discomfort if left untreated.
 

What is Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy is a personalized, non-invasive treatment designed to improve the connection between the eyes and the brain. Unlike corrective lenses, which focus on refractive issues like nearsightedness or farsightedness, vision therapy aims to enhance visual skills, making the eyes work more efficiently and reducing the strain placed on them during daily tasks.
 

A vision therapist assesses each patient’s specific visual challenges and creates a customized therapy plan that may include exercises and activities to improve eye coordination, focusing, and tracking.
 

How Vision Therapy Alleviates Visual Stress and Digital Eye Strain

Vision therapy helps strengthen the muscles that control focusing. People who experience digital eye strain often struggle with maintaining focus on near objects for extended periods, which leads to eye fatigue. By improving this ability, vision therapy reduces the strain caused by prolonged screen time.
 

For those who experience difficulty with eye teaming (how both eyes work together), vision therapy can significantly improve this skill. Poor coordination between the eyes often leads to double vision, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Vision therapy exercises help retrain the eyes to work as a team, reducing symptoms of visual stress.
 

Eye tracking issues, where the eyes do not follow a line of text smoothly, are common among individuals with digital eye strain. Vision therapy can address these deficiencies, helping the eyes move efficiently, reducing fatigue, and improving reading comfort.
 

Just like muscles, your eyes need endurance to sustain focus over time. Vision therapy builds visual stamina, allowing individuals to perform tasks like reading and screen use for longer periods without discomfort.
 

Take the First Step Toward Visual Comfort

If you’re suffering from visual stress or digital eye strain, it’s time to explore the benefits of vision therapy. At Great Lakes Vision Care, we provide customized treatment plans to help patients find relief from the symptoms of eye strain and improve their visual health.
 

Contact Great Lakes Vision Care to learn more on how vision therapy can help visual stress or digital eye strain. Visit our office in Monroe, Michigan, or call (734) 212-5157 to schedule an appointment today.