Globally, poor eye health is on the rise across all demographics, with more than 2.2 billion living with vision impairments. This includes adults who are otherwise in good physical health in their 20s and 30s.
By 2050, experts estimate that cases of eye diseases will increase by more than 150%. This is worrying, considering that these estimates include conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration, which can cause blindness.
Since photography is a principally visual medium, it’s very important for professionals and aspirants alike to take their eye health more seriously lest they become another statistic. The good news is that the same study cited above says that almost 90% of the eye problems on the rise are avoidable and treatable. So, as a traveling photographer whose eyes may be under above-average strain, given the extra pressures of being on the road, it’s time to understand why eye wellness matters and how to protect it
How poor vision can affect your craft
To really grasp the value of good ocular health, it helps to understand what happens to photographers without it. Firstly and foremost, lackluster eyesight can impact your artistic vision, literally and metaphorically. For instance, if you’re nearsighted, it may be harder to capture and compose images that include elements in the distance. Moreover, this can cause blurred vision, which means you may find it more challenging to keep your shots focused.
As it is, about 50% of the global population is expected to be nearsighted by 2050 due to our increasingly digital lifestyles. With the technology needed to take photos and refine them in post-production, you may be particularly vulnerable to developing nearsightedness as a travel photographer.
There’s also the fact that any sort of health concern can be expensive, especially when abroad. Eye issues, in particular, can cost you a pretty penny, given that many countries, like the US and the UK, are dealing with specialist shortages. This means that not only is getting the right help time-consuming, but it will also likely cost you quite a bit to get anything done. This can severely hurt your travel fund, most especially since Business Insider revealed that only about 38% of survey respondents say they purchase travel insurance. Of this, only 29% said they did so for health. Naturally, your budget will affect how much of your original plans you can still pursue.
On top of this, when the eyes are not working optimally, there is additional strain on the body and mind. This can manifest in your moods and mindset, thereby souring your experiences and interactions. Over time, this can even cause unrest among your peers, which is sorely against the peace that’s integral to travelers' communities. When this happens, you’re less likely to make the bonds and enjoy the immersions that a traveling photographer is usually blessed with.
Easy ways to safeguard your sight on the go
Although you may think that investing in your eye health while traveling is tricky, considering busy schedules and constant outings, there are actually several ways you can do so without impacting your work, budget, or itinerary. Primarily, you can start by protecting your eyes from sun damage. This means wearing sunglasses from brands like Ray-Ban, that have been proven to block out up to 100% UV rays. Alternatively, if you already have some vision concerns, make sure to wear prescription sunglasses. They are available from brands like Oakley, where you can even have the lenses polarized. This ensures that you’re not only correcting your vision but also safeguarding it from threats like UVA, UVB, and glare. As a traveling photographer who is likely to mostly photograph subjects outdoors, keeping your eyes safe from the sun’s radiation is invaluable.
Apart from being under the sun a lot, most photographers will admit to spending a significant amount of time in front of screens for photo editing, client meetings, and the like. While this is a necessary part of business, it can lead to overexposure to the blue light that these screens emit. As a potentially harmful visible light spectrum, blue light can cause issues like ocular straining, dry eyes, and more. With this in mind, it’s worth looking into blue light blockers. For instance, there are filters from Occushield, which was recently reported to be working on a portable light that mimics daylight. Their blue light filters look much like screen protectors that block harmful rays without altering the depth of your device’s colors. This can help you ensure your images are true to your style without compromising your eyes.
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