
More than just having an artistic eye, photographers must keep their eyes healthy to ensure visual clarity and get the results they want for their images. However, photography can expose you to various health risks while on the job, starting with ultraviolet radiation.
To illustrate, a previous post on outdoor photography highlights the best time to take pics outside, such as during golden hour to maximize the lighting and daytime to provide rich and vibrant colors. Despite the creative opportunities you get while shooting outside, hours spent under the sun can make your eyes vulnerable to UV radiation, a known risk factor for eye strain, photokeratitis (sunburn of the eyes), and progressive eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma.
Additionally, post-photography processes like editing can still pose a threat to your eyes.
Findings by the AI editing platform Neurapix indicate that more than one in four (28.6%)
photographers spend five to 10 hours per week editing, making them prone to various health issues. These include digital eye strain, which affects 47.3% of respondents and is characterized by ocular symptoms associated with electronic use, such as visual fatigue, soreness, dry eyes, burning, and blurred vision. Research shows that your work environment can play a role in the development of digital eye strain, making it crucial for photographers who work in increasingly digitized environments to prioritize eye care.
Below are some ways to look after your eyes and improve your performance and career as a
photographer.
Get regular eye exams
Even if you have clear vision and do not experience any ocular symptoms like dry eyes, it’s best to invest in preventive care by getting an eye exam. Adults are recommended to get an eye exam yearly, as it helps with early diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions that may affect your vision, such as refractive errors, eye strain, and glaucoma. By searching the keywords “eye exam near me” online, you can see that Target Optical allows you to schedule an appointment online. You can book your preferred time and date at your local Target Optical to help you stay on top of eye care, no matter how busy your job as a photographer may be.
Use the right type of eyewear
Depending on the results of your eye exam, you may be advised by an eye care professional to wear prescription eyewear to ensure clear vision and avoid straining your eyes while taking photos. Since eyeglasses may serve as an obstruction between your eyes and the camera, consider wearing contact lenses since they sit directly over the eye’s surface for seamless vision correction. A viable option is Alcon’s Precision7, which provides up to 16 hours of comfort and precise vision and can correct single-vision and astigmatism prescriptions. Meanwhile, those with 20/20 vision must consider wearing computer glasses when doing digital photography tasks like editing to minimize screen glare and reduce the risk of digital eye strain symptoms.
Take breaks to rest your eyes
Lastly, whether you’re outside capturing portraits, architecture, and landscapes or in front of a computer editing and processing photos, remember to take regular breaks. Doing so can relieve the stress and tension in the eye muscles, which tend to build up when performing tasks for uninterrupted periods. Eye health experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule, which involves resting your eyes every 20 minutes by looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You can also try doing eye exercises like blinking, palming, and focus changes to manage common eye problems like dry eyes, soreness, and visual fatigue.
In summary, photographers can preserve their vision through eye exams, eyewear, and regular breaks. By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can take better care of your eyes not only as a tool for photography but as an essential aspect of your overall health and wellness.
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