When Apple sends the dreaded weekly screen time notification on a Monday morning, the results can be terrifying. Post-coronavirus pandemic, so many operations have been moved online, from work meetings, writing articles, or entering data to socializing, leisure time, and addictive scrolling; it feels almost impossible to avoid spending at least a few hours a day with your eyes glued to a screen.
But what if your entire profession revolves around writing all day and staring at a screen? This is the case for many medical scribes. While working and producing transcripts of patient encounters might not inflict the same mental health issues that aimlessly staring at social media for hours could, high screen time can still have implications on the health of our eyes and vision.
So, what are the potential Eye Health Dangers of Medical Scribing and Other Digital Writing Jobs?
While writing jobs are renowned for their relaxed, peaceful nature and medical scribing offers a great opportunity for young healthcare enthusiasts to earn their first experience in the industry, the roles could have negative impacts on employee’s eye health if exposed to prolonged periods of time in front of a computer screen. Here are some of the primary concerns.
Eye Strain
Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome. Symptoms include dry eyes, eye fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches. Medical scribes and digital writers are particularly susceptible to eye strain due to the continuous focus required while transcribing or typing for extended periods.
Increased Risk of Myopia
Myopia, or nearsightedness, has been on the rise globally, with excessive screen time identified as a contributing factor. Individuals engaged in medical scribing and digital writing may be at a higher risk of developing myopia due to prolonged exposure to close-up tasks and digital screens.
Blue Light Exposure
Digital screens emit blue light, which has been linked to disruptions in sleep patterns and potential damage to retinal cells over time. Medical scribes and digital writers who work late hours or into the evening may be exposed to higher levels of blue light, increasing their risk of eye strain and sleep disturbances.
Dry Eyes
Staring at screens for hours can reduce the frequency of blinking, leading to inadequate lubrication of the eyes and dry eye syndrome. The constant visual focus required for medical scribing and digital writing can exacerbate this problem, causing discomfort and irritation.
How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy as a Medical Scribe or Writer
While there are several eye risks associated with spending significant amounts of time working behind a screen, it is the duty of a scribe company to ensure employees are aware of behaviors they can adopt to help prevent experiencing harmful symptoms. But if you need a refresher from your scribe training, here is a list of tips to keep your eyes healthy while working in a digital writing job.
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce eye strain is to adhere to the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus your gaze on something at least 20 feet away. This brief pause allows your eyes to relax and readjust, preventing fatigue and discomfort. This technique may not be possible in intense medical scribe jobs, but just try to implement it where possible.
Adjust Your Screen Settings
Optimizing your computer screen settings can significantly reduce eye strain. Adjust the brightness and contrast levels to suit your surroundings, ensuring that your screen isn't too bright or too dim. Additionally, consider increasing the text size and reducing glare by using matte screen filters.
Practice Proper Ergonomics
Maintaining good posture and positioning while writing can help alleviate eye strain and prevent other physical discomforts. Ensure that your monitor is at eye level and positioned at arm's length away. Sit with your back straight, feet flat on the floor, and wrists comfortably supported to minimize strain on your eyes and body.
Blink Frequently
When we focus intently on a screen, we tend to blink less frequently, which can lead to dry, irritated eyes. Make a conscious effort to blink regularly while writing to keep your eyes moist and prevent them from becoming dry and uncomfortable. Consider using artificial tears or eye drops to lubricate your eyes if needed.
Take Regular Breaks
It's easy to get lost in the flow of writing and lose track of time, but it's essential to take regular breaks to give your eyes a rest. Set a timer or use productivity tools to remind yourself to step away from the screen periodically. Use these breaks to stretch, hydrate, and give your eyes a chance to relax before diving back into your writing.
Conclusion
While staring at a screen has more physical health risks than we may be consciously aware of, following our eyecare tips should help you prevent or manage any potential symptoms.
