How Avid Gamers Can Take Better Care of Their Vision Health
No matter how engrossed you may get from playing your favorite video games, it’s worth noting that extended gaming sessions can negatively impact your health. Specifically, avid gaming has been linked to vision problems like dry eyes, as staring at the screens of electronic devices like smartphones can reduce the blink rate and affect the eye’s tear film function. In fact, a study found that even one hour of mobile gaming can significantly decrease the number of blinks per minute from 21 to 9, contributing to symptoms like dryness, soreness, and irritation.
Other gamers are also reported to suffer from an eye condition known as computer vision syndrome, which is characterised by symptoms like eye strain, double or blurred vision, and headaches. Whether you play cosy farming simulation games like Stardew Valley or a fast-paced first-person shooter (FPS) like Overwatch 2, you need a healthy vision to optimise your performance and get the best possible gaming experience.
Fortunately, you can incorporate the following tips into your gaming routine and overall lifestyle to protect your vision and overall eye health.
Wear blue light glasses
Besides digital screens reducing the average blink rate, they also emit high-energy blue light with wavelengths that strain the eyes and cause visual discomfort, especially if you play games in dimly lit environments. Thus, it’s advisable to wear glasses with blue-violet light filters that minimise these damaging effects on your eye health.
Even if you’re a gamer who is diagnosed with refractive errors like presbyopia and astigmatism, Readers.com offers blue light reading glasses that can accommodate your selected magnification for balanced vision correction and protection. The retailer’s gaming-friendly glasses include timeless rame styles like the browline The Adrian and the square-shaped Lancelot, which both filter approximately 30% of harmful blue light and are made of lightweight materials like recycled plastic.
Consider artificial tears
Since gaming for prolonged periods can dry your eyes and cause discomfort, you may also consider the option of using artificial tears to improve the eyes’ tear film function and address vision-related symptoms. A study published in the journal Vision found that the preservative-free hyaluronic acid eye drops under the brand name Hyabak can have a protective effect against computer vision syndrome and dry eye symptoms.
Specifically, participants in the study group presented significant decreases in the ocular parameters of the eye dryness questionnaire after using one drop of the artificial tears four times a day throughout three consecutive days of intense gaming. However, schedule a visit with your optometrist first to ensure that the artificial tears you plan to use are the right type for your vision and lifestyle needs.
Eat vitamin A-rich foods
Lastly, remember that diet can play a role in vision protection and eye health outcomes, making it crucial to eat foods rich in eye-healthy nutrients. A previous post listing healthy tips for gamers emphasises the importance of vitamin A for maintaining corneal function and promoting healthy eyesight among gamers who may encounter vision problems.
Vitamin A is essential for producing the protective pigments that enable the retina to work properly while also delaying the progression of existing eye conditions like refractive errors. Natural dietary sources of this eye-healthy nutrient include carrots, bell peppers, squash, and dark leafy greens like kale and spinach.
By following the eye care tips mentioned above, you can preserve your long-term vision not only for more comfortable gaming but, more importantly, for a healthier lifestyle.