Technology can help us in many ways but can also cause unexpected problems. These often manifest in our bodies and include everything from carpal tunnel to tech neck to dry eyes, a symptom of staring at screens. Blue light, known as HEV light, is emitted by the sun but also from smartphones, tablets and computer screens — and exposure to it contributes to digital eye strain (aka computer vision syndrome) and sleep disruption. Suffering either symptom? Here are some products that can help.
CADDIS EYEWEAR
Mill Valley–based Caddis covers the lenses of all its glasses with an HEV-blocking coat. While blue-light-blocking glasses technically are recommended for wear at night, when your circadian rhythm is most affected, these “eye appliances” will keep you covered and stylish all day.
F.LUX
F.lux is a computer program that changes a display’s color temperature according to location and time of day, resulting in less stress on the eyes. The program was created to reduce eye strain during night use and to help prevent disrupted sleep.
ROHTO DIGI-EYE DROPS
These eye drops are formulated specifically to ease dryness, redness and irritation brought on by digital eye strain. Don’t be alarmed by the pink color — that’s from added vitamin B12, thought to help prevent blurred vision.
Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.