Are you concerned that gaming is having an effect on your health? Or do you fear that your children are spending harmful amounts of time glued to their video games? 

You are right to worry. Alongside a host of psychological issues, such as low self-esteem and negative affectivity, excessive video game usage can affect vision and overall eye health. From eye discomfort to fatigue; headaches to myopia (near-sightedness), video games can be a menace to the eyes.

Little wonder the American Optometric Association recently coined a new condition: Computer Vision Syndrome.

But fear not, you don’t have to give up video games at all. Eyetamins has outlined a range of steps to mitigate eye problems from video games. Here are 8 reasons gamers can benefit from eye supplements including gummies. 

Do Video Games Cause Vision Problems? 

While too much screen time such as playing video games can have a negative impact on certain aspects of vision health, there is no clear evidence that they can damage your eyes permanently.

However with regard to computer eye syndrome, excessive video game use can cause eye discomfort, focusing problems, blurry vision and headaches.

These conditions are caused by glare and low screen contrast, which force your eyes to work harder than usual. Indeed, video games also require more constant focus from the eyes than most other electronic devices - amplifying their harm.

Since too much blue light exposure is disruptive to sleeping patterns, it is best to limit game playing to daylight hours. If not, blue light will suppress your body’s production of melatonin (the sleep inducing hormone) and keep you awake at night. Eyestrain, headaches and fatigue can also ensue from too much blue light. 

How to Reduce Eye Strain While Gaming?

If you are not playing video games, you are staring at your phone. As a result, it is tricky to avoid eye strain and eye-related health problems. However, if you follow these simple tips, it is impossible to improve your viewing habits and reduce vision damage from video games.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule. That is, stop looking at an electronic screen every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds - simple! Make use of a glare-reducing cover on your screen or purchase glasses with an anti-reflective coating. Check out this vid to find out more about blue light glasses.

Play video games in a well lit room. Avoid playing in the darkness or extreme sunlight. Finally - and most importantly - do not play video games for excessive amounts of time. It might seem obvious, but using video games for more than three hours per day is excessive. If you need to use a screen as part of your job, take frequent breaks to avoid unnecessary screen time. 

Eye Care for Gamers

It is needless to say that your eyes are your most valuable asset when gaming. So protect them! The first step to ensure better eye-health is to move away from your monitor. This simple step involves putting your monitor away from you. Increasing the distance between you and your monitor will help reduce eye strain and reduce the amount of blue light emitted to your eyes. 

Another quick-fix is to reduce the brightness level on your screen. As you are probably aware, our eyes are incredibly sensitive to blue light. We recommend that you adjust brightness levels until you find that sweet spot. Although expensive, investing in a high quality monitor is essential to maintain eye health.

Certain brands offer gaming monitors with eye-care display options and IPS displays, which emit far less levels of harmful blue light. The best eye care monitors are discussed here.

Why Should Gamers Use Eye Supplements?

A cheaper alternative is eye supplements. There are eight reasons why gamers should take them. Blue Blocker filters blue light, helps eye strain and promotes eyesight. This is because it constraints lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin. Found naturally in the eyes, these plant based extracts act as primary filters of high-energy blue light. In over 80 clinical trials they have been found to support vision and eye health. 

Advice for Parents

Setting guidelines for your children will help prevent the negative effects of prolonged video gameplay. Period. If your child enjoys playing video games a lot (don't worry most do), encourage them to take frequent breaks. Try setting a timer for 20 minutes, and have them do something else for five minutes when the buzzer sounds. 

Moreover, make sure your child sits as far away as possible from the screen. The minimum recommended distance for games consoles is 6 feet, while 2 feet is preferred for desktop computer screens. Want to know what happens when you give your kid unlimited screen time?

Watch this. Be warned: it might surprise you. 

People Also Ask:

What Supplement is Good for Your Eyes?

The following supplements have been clinically proven to benefit the eyes. Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Zinc, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamins C and E. Learn more about the merits of supplements at eyetamins. 

What Foods Are Best for Your Eyes?

Do not take your eyes for granted. Good eye health starts with the food in your tummy. Green leafy vegetables, salmon, tuna, eggs, nuts, beans, oranges, citrus fruit and oysters are your best bet.

Do Professional Gamers Take Supplements?

Whether gamers are competing in professional events or playing for the love of the sport, most are looking for a competitive edge. Hence why over 80% of them report taking supplements at least five days per week.

Conclusion:

Video games need not harm your eyes. Regulate their use, adopt eye-strain minimizing strategies and take your supplements!