Each day, the average South African spends around nine and a half hours online, according to We Are Social. This statistic highlights just how central digital technology has become in every sphere of our lives from shopping, entertainment and communications to banking and productivity.
As much as the technology enriches and simplifies our lives, constant usage of digital screens has potential drawbacks for the health of our eyes. Digital eye strain, blue screen exposure, and reduced blinking are just a few of the concerns that we need to be aware of as we use our PCs and smartphones each day.
Focusing on your screen for extended periods without taking a break can lead to eye fatigue, eye discomfort, blurred vision and even headaches. Reduced blinking is another concern associated with heavy device usage. Less blinking inevitably leads to dry and irritated eyes.
Blue light exposure, meanwhile, is getting increased attention from medical professionals. Digital displays emit blue light, which can disrupt your sleep patterns and harm the health of your eyes. In severe cases, blue light can contribute to retinal damage and accelerate the ageing of your eyes.
Innovations in eye-friendly display technology
As a result, the demand for technologies that mitigate the negative effects of displays on our eyes has never been more urgent. Smartphone and display manufacturers are responding with innovative solutions, such as TCL’s NXTPAPER technology, which more effectively manages blue light while maintaining excellent visual quality.
As a combined hardware and software solution, TCL NXTPAPER introduces an innovative approach to managing harmful blue light emissions in electronic displays. Its goal is to enhance safety and comfort during prolonged screen use without compromising your experience.
NXTPAPER 3 looks a lot like e-ink. It’s easy on your eyes, but is fully colourised and suitable for watching video and playing games. TCL NXTPAPER technology filters harmful blue light by up to 61% while retaining sharp images, vibrant colours, deep contrast and natural motion.
Thanks to both software and hardware breakthroughs, the NXTPAPER multi-layer screen technology seamlessly blends paper-like viewing comfort with a full-colour spectrum and eye-friendly brightness, whether it’s day or night. TÜV, Eyesafe and SGS certifications are testament to its safety and quality.
In addition to using screens that leverage new technologies like NXTPAPER, there are a range of steps you can take to protect your eyes as a smartphone and PC user:
- Follow the 20-20-6 rule: Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 6 metres away. This will reduce eye fatigue and strain.
- Adjust screen settings: Adjust settings in all devices to reduce blue light emissions. Many devices have Night Mode, Blue Light Filter, or Eye Comfort modes that can help minimise blue light exposure.
- Keep a proper posture: Position your display at eye level and maintain a comfortable viewing distance (about arm’s length).
- Remember to blink regularly: Make a point of blinking often while using digital devices. If your eyes are dry or uncomfortable, use some lubricating eye drops.
- Take breaks: Step away from the computer or put the smartphone away and take regular breaks to rest your eyes.
- Use comfortable lighting: Use displays in areas that are well-lit with indirect lighting to reduce glare and reflections on the screen. Avoid using screens against bright windows or under harsh overhead lighting.
Smartphone, tablet and PC users can look forward to even more innovation in display technology to address the challenges of prolonged screen use. Advances in artificial intelligence, adaptive screen technology, and even augmented reality will enhance visual comfort while maintaining high-quality digital experiences.
As manufacturers explore new frontiers in eye-friendly displays, you can expect more seamless integration of health-conscious features into your everyday devices. The future of screen technology isn’t just about sharper visuals, it’s about smarter, more adaptive displays that work in harmony with your wellbeing.
