(Colorado News Connection) The pandemic forced many Americans to work and learn from home, and health experts are increasingly concerned about the potentially harmful impact of blue light that comes from screens in telephones, tablets, and televisions. 

Amanda Melendez is an optometrist with the Monfort Family Clinic in Evans. She said patients who spend hours in front of screens should be on the lookout for symptoms of digital eye strain.

"Which can sometimes be alarming," said Melendez. "Blurred vision is one of the more common ones. But even if you're getting things like a little bit of dizziness, dryness and even neck pain, those could all be indicators of digital eye strain. Something that might prompt you to come see us. We might want to do something about that."

Blue light, a short-wavelength high-energy light similar to ultraviolet light on the visible spectrum, is still being studied to determine safe exposure levels. Ultraviolet light has been shown to harm eye health over time.

A recent report found that since the onset of COVID-19, the average American spends 13 hours a day looking at some kind of blue light-emitting screen. 

Dr. Scott Edmonds - chief eye care officer for UnitedHealthcare Vision - said exposure to blue-light is of particular concern because of how close the user's eyes typically are to screens, and for how long.

"The photoreceptors can certainly process blue light, but it puts a lot of strain on them," said Edmonds. "And we're concerned that over time, the retina will become damaged, and we'll start to see age-related macular degeneration from this, like we did with UV light."

Using blue light filters, which are available for most types and sizes of screens, can help reduce exposure. Eyeglasses with an anti-reflective coating may also help. 

And Melendez said if you're working and really can't get away from the computer, use the 20-20-20 rule to prevent digital eye strain.

"So every 20 minutes, taking a 20 second break, to look at something 20 feet away," said Melendez. "And so it really just allows your eyes a break from that blue light. And it allows your focusing muscle to take a break as well, because that's active as well when we're on the screen."