With video games more popular than ever, some parents worry gaming can negatively impact children‘s eyesight. Is it true video games are worse for vision than passively watching TV? Research suggests moderation is key for both gaming and TV viewing to prevent eye strain. While action video games may actually boost visual abilities, excessive use without breaks can contribute to temporary problems.
Computer Vision Syndrome Explained
The American Optometric Association notes both TV and video games can lead to "computer vision syndrome" or digital eye strain when used extensively without breaks. Symptoms include eye discomfort, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, neck/shoulder pain and more. This is caused by glare, poor lighting, and constant eye focus. Gamer eye syndrome is the term when symptoms are specifically from gaming.
Why Video Games Can Aggravate Eye Strain
Although both TV and gaming activities can cause digital eye strain, symptoms may be more noticeable with video games. This is because games require more constant eye focusing and accommodation as users actively follow the on-screen action. The eyes have to work harder to keep up with fast motion. TV viewing is more passive. Frequent gamers who play for hours nonstop will likely experience worse eye fatigue.
Proper Lighting and Regular Breaks Are Key
To prevent eye strain from gaming or TV, it‘s important to take regular short breaks – follow the 20/20/20 rule of looking away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away. This lets eyes relax and refocus. Having proper lighting and avoiding playing in complete darkness or glare also reduces eye fatigue. Anti-glare screens can help for computers.
Action Video Games May Enhance Vision
Interestingly, research by the University of Rochester found playing action video games regularly may boost contrast sensitivity. This is the ability to discern shades and detect subtle changes in gray levels. Enhanced contrast sensitivity can aid critical vision skills like night driving, reading, and seeing through fog. So some visual abilities may improve with gaming.
Risks of Excessive Gaming for Children‘s Eyes
While action gaming can potentially improve visual skills, children who play more than 2 hours per day without breaks may experience eye discomfort, headaches, and temporary vision changes from overuse. Sitting close to a TV is not proven to directly worsen eyesight, but can strain eyes. Parents should watch for signs of eye discomfort in avid young gamers and encourage screen-free time.
Tips to Prevent Eye Strain from Gaming or TV Viewing
– Follow the 20/20/20 rule and take regular short breaks
– Use proper lighting and avoid playing in the dark
– Adjust monitor settings for ideal brightness and contrast
– Blink frequently to keep eyes lubricated
– Get prescription glasses for computer use
– Set reasonable time limits for gaming and TV
– Use lubricating eye drops if eyes feel dry or irritated
Moderation is key for both gaming and TV viewing. Allowing time for active play, schoolwork, and socializing is also very beneficial for children‘s eye health and overall wellbeing. Consulting an eye doctor for any persistent vision changes is recommended.As an avid gamer and streaming enthusiast, I‘ve had many parents ask me if video games carry more risk of eye strain and vision problems than passively watching TV. While both can lead to fatigue, research shows gaming in moderation may actually enhance visual skills like contrast sensitivity. By taking breaks, using proper lighting, and getting gaming eyewear, you can enjoy virtual worlds without sacrificing your eyesight.
How Screens Impact the Complex Eye Structures
To understand why digital screens can cause eye issues, we first need to understand the anatomy. Light enters through the cornea, then passes through the lens which focuses and directs it to the retina – light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. The retina transforms light into signals transmitted through the optic nerve to the visual cortex of the brain where images are processed.
Staring at a digital screen constantly forces the eyes’ ciliary muscles and lens to maintain steady accommodation and convergence on near objects. This can spasm these muscles and reduce blinking, causing blurry vision, headaches, and dry eyes. The cornea can also become irritated from prolonged exposure to blue light wavelengths.
Blue Light Concerns for Sleep and Eye Health
Extensive research shows blue light exposure from screens later at night can disrupt circadian rhythms by impairing melatonin release. This can negatively impact sleep quality. But blue light may also place extra burden on the eyes that can accumulate over time.
Long term blue light exposure may increase oxidative stress on eye cells, contributing to macular degeneration. This can be aggravated by the close distance gamers sit from screens compared to TV viewing. Adjusting monitor color temperature, gaming with amber tinted glasses, and avoiding screens before bed can provide relief.
Contrast Sensitivity Benefits of Gaming
According to a study by the University of Rochester, playing action video games can significantly enhance contrast sensitivity – the ability to distinguish subtle shades of gray and detect minor movements. This is thought to occur from training and stimulating the visual cortex. Improved contrast sensitivity has been linked to better night driving capabilities, reading skills, and seeing through fog.
So while excessive gaming can contribute to temporary eye discomfort, it may also sharpen vision in unique ways compared to passive TV watching. However, more research is still needed on the long-term effects of action video games on eyesight.
| Visual Ability | Enhanced by Action Video Games |
|---|---|
| Contrast sensitivity | ✔️ |
| Visual acuity | ❌ |
Gaming in Moderation Is Key for Children‘s Eyes
The American Optometric Association notes children who play video games for more than 2 hours daily are more likely to develop headaches, blurred vision, eye discomfort and double vision from excessive screen focus. Very frequent gamers show a higher prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome.
Studies show eye and vision issues can manifest with more than 9 hours of gaming per day without rest. But taking 15-20 minute breaks every 1-2 hours can help significantly. Ensuring proper lighting, screen distance and monitor setup can also minimize eye fatigue. Limiting consecutive gaming to under 2 hours is ideal.
Tips for Preventing Eye Strain While Gaming
Here are my top tips as an avid gamer to promote eye health and avoid strain:
– Follow the 20/20/20 rule – every 20 minutes, look away at something 20 feet for 20 seconds. Set a timer if needed.
– Game with optimal lighting and avoid pitch dark or excessive glare.
– Adjust monitor settings for proper brightness/contrast. I keep mine around 50% brightness.
– Use lubricating eye drops before/after long sessions to prevent dryness. Keep them handy.
– Invest in prescription computer glasses to reduce refocusing and accommodation. Select anti-reflective lenses.
– Enable blue light filtering settings on monitors/glasses lenses to minimize exposure, especially at night. Amber tinting helps.
– Play on the largest monitor possible and sit at least 20 inches back to avoid eyestrain from small text.
– Blink frequently during play to keep eyes from drying out. Remind yourself to blink.
– Try gamer eye workout routines on YouTube to relax the eyes. I do these daily.
My Favorite Games to Enhance Visual Abilities
As a lifetime gamer, these fast-paced games seem to give my eyes a good workout and exemplify why gaming can boost vision in moderation:
– Any action-packed first person shooter like Call of Duty or Apex Legends. The quick target acquisition and tracking seem to hone my reaction time.
– High speed racing games like Need for Speed or Forza Horizon that test contrast sensitivity for night driving and seeing obstacles in my peripheral vision at 170 mph!
– Action adventure games like God of War that feature diverse scenery requiring rapid accommodation changes and dynamic depth perception.
– Puzzle games like Superliminal that are literally designed to train visual perspective and 3D perception. The visual tricks keep my eyes sharp.
While no gaming should come at the expense of eye health, playing in moderation with proper precautions provides fun and social benefits, and may even strengthen key visual abilities compared to passive TV viewing. But be sure to take regular screen breaks, reduce blue light exposure at night, and consult an eye doctor if any concerning symptoms arise. Game on!
