Why women over 50 should limit their daily screen use

Collaborative Post | As you reach your 50s, your eyes begin to change in ways that make them more sensitive to digital screens. You might notice that your vision feels tired after long periods on your phone or computer. 

What many people don’t realise is how much prolonged screen exposure affects both eye health and general wellbeing. Read on to discover the main reasons why it’s wise to reduce your daily screen use.

Photo by Shoeib Abolhassani on Unsplash

Reduced tear production and dry eyes

Women over 50 often experience hormonal shifts that affect tear production. This can make the eyes feel dry and gritty, especially after staring at a screen for hours.

Screens encourage you to blink less frequently, which further reduces moisture on the eye’s surface. Over time, this can cause redness, irritation, and blurry vision, all common signs of digital eye strain.

By cutting back on screen time and taking regular breaks, you give your eyes the chance to stay hydrated and refreshed.

The risk of AMD

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is one of the most common causes of vision loss in older adults. While screens alone don’t cause AMD, the blue light exposure from them may contribute to oxidative stress in the retina.

For women over 50, who are already at higher risk, limiting screen time and protecting the eyes with lutein and zeaxanthin supplements supplied by Pure Optical can make a meaningful difference in long-term eye health.

Blue light can disrupt sleep patterns

The blue light emitted by phones, tablets, and computers affects how your body regulates sleep. It suppresses melatonin, the hormone that helps you fall asleep.

Women over 50 are already more prone to sleep difficulties, often linked to menopause or lifestyle changes. So, excessive blue light exposure will only make those problems worse.
Avoiding screens at least an hour before bed can improve your sleep quality. You’ll wake up feeling more rested and alert, which helps support your overall health.

Eye strain becomes more noticeable with age

With age, the lenses in your eyes become less flexible, making it harder to focus on near and far objects. Constantly switching between reading glasses and screens only adds to the strain.

Spending too long in front of a monitor forces your eyes to work harder, leading to tension headaches, tired eyes, and blurred vision.

So keep in mind that reducing continuous screen use and adjusting your environment like improving lighting or adjusting screen brightness can ease this strain significantly.

Mental fatigue and concentration problems

Too much screen time doesn’t just affect your eyes, it also strains your mind. Continuous exposure to screens reduces focus and increases mental fatigue, making it harder to concentrate or stay productive.

Taking time away from digital devices allows your brain to recharge and promotes better emotional wellbeing.

Protecting your vision for the future

In summation, you don’t need to completely give up screens to protect your eyes, but making small changes goes a long way. Practise the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Stay hydrated, eat foods rich in antioxidants, and schedule regular eye tests to catch any early signs of damage.

For women over 50, caring for your eyes now means protecting one of your most valuable senses for the years ahead.

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Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.