Many of us spend our days sitting in front of our computers or scrolling on our cell phones for long periods of time. And with more people working from home, many of us are using devices more than ever. There’s no doubt that working on a computer strains your eyes, and can cause them to get very tired, itchy, or dry. What’s worse is that being in front of a screen for multiple hours a day can take a toll on your vision. Staring at a computer or cell phone for more than a few hours a day makes you more susceptible to long-term vision problems. In fact, over 58% of workers who use screens all day reported that their vision has worsened in the past 3 years. This is why it is especially important to have a good health insurance plan that allows you to get your eyes checked regularly.
The Effects Of Screen Time
Did you know that the reason screen time is so hard on your eyes is that it causes you to blink less often? The average person normally blinks 15 times or more per minute, but when you stare at a computer screen or cell phone, you blink 50% less often! If you have to work in front of a screen for your job, over time you might find yourself dealing with eye strains and headaches. In fact, 1 in 4 employees say they suffer from light-related headaches. These headaches can affect your productivity and performance at your job.
Not only can screen time affect your performance at work and cause physical discomfort, but it can also affect your sleep. The blue light from screens interferes with your production of melatonin, a sleep-promoting hormone, so when you sit in front of a computer screen for a long period of time, your sleep cycles can be affected. This is especially true for those who use computers or cell phones right before bed.
Taking Care Of Your Eyes & Health
The best thing you can do to protect your eyes is to take a break from screens whenever you can, as well as try to minimize the effects of staring at screens. Take small breaks throughout the day, adjust the contrast on your screen so it is not too bright, and consider getting blue light blocking glasses. The coating on these lenses helps ease strain from blue light emissions.
It’s just not possible for most people to stay away from screens completely, so in addition to trying to minimize the effects of screen time, it is also important to get regular eye exams. Eye exams are not only necessary for preventing long-term vision issues, but they can also be an important part of looking after your overall health. Many people do not realize that eye doctors can detect some chronic conditions during routine eye exams, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, certain types of cancer, and more. Eye doctors can learn a lot just by examining the tiny blood vessels that supply your retina, your eye pressure, as well as by assessing any pain, redness, or leaking of the eyes.
Despite the benefits of getting regular eye exams, many people aren’t getting them. The problem is that these exams can cost a lot if you don’t have vision insurance; in fact, studies show that people with vision insurance are twice as likely to have regular eye exams. There are ways, though, to get affordable vision care, including:
- Through your employer’s health insurance plan- Some employers offer vision and dental health plans as an added benefit to group health insurance plans.
- Other employer-based healthcare benefits– If you do not receive group health insurance through your employer, or they do not offer vision care, talk to your employer about an alternative healthcare plan, like a HRA or HSA. With a HRA, you would be reimbursed for a vision plan, and with a HSA, you could use the money you put into your account to pay for your eye exams.
- Individual health insurance– You can also look for a vision plan when you are signing up for your own individual health insurance plan.
Finding A Good Vision Plan
If you do not have a vision plan, or if your plan is too expensive or doesn’t provide enough coverage, you might end up avoiding eye exams. But it is possible to find an affordable health insurance plan that offers great vision benefits – all you have to do is research plans to find the right one in your area. We know that this can be overwhelming and time consuming, which is why EZ.Insure was created. 
Our mission is to help people find affordable health insurance plans with great benefits at no cost to you. Our services are free because we want to help you get insured! And, because your eye health is so important, we want to make sure you find a plan that will allow you to get regular eye exams. We do this by comparing all the available plans in your area within minutes and providing you with quotes for each one.
EZ’s agents are highly trained and work with the top-rated insurance companies in the country. We will provide you with one agent who will compare plans, and help you find one that meets your budget and saves you money. There is no obligation and no hassle, just free quotes. To get started, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak directly to an agent, call 888-350-1890.