Why Screens Are Stressing Your Visual System and The Long Term Effect for Your Vision
Dr Bryce Appelbaum On the Straight Up With Steph Podcast
"Eyesight is our ability to see… vision is how our brain filters, organizes, processes and stores all the information coming in through the eyes." — Dr. Bryce Appelbaum
Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, Neuro-Optometrist and founder of MyVisionFirst, joins Stephanie Botts on Straight Up With Steph to talk about something most of us never learned: the difference between eyesight and vision and why it matters far more than we realize.
From understanding hidden functional vision problems to how they impact reading, learning, focus and everyday life, this is a conversation that could change the way you see the world, literally.
Inside the Episode
- 00:00 – Functional vision training, eyesight vs vision, vertigo, BVD, stress, and driving
- 12:40 – Vision problems in dental workers, loupes, ergonomics, and top vision exercises
- 20:49 – Vision performance training in athletes
- 26:20 – Screens, myopia, AI, blue light, and tips for screen use
- 32:57 – Vision therapy, concussion recovery, and ScreenFit
- 41:10 – ADHD, learning disorders, dyslexia, and signs of vision issues in children
- 46:45 – Signs of vision issues in adults, dry eyes, supplements, and diet
- 54:06 – How to connect with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Eyesight vs Vision: The Difference Most People Miss
Many people assume clear eyesight means their vision is healthy. But Dr. Bryce Appelbaum explains that eyesight is only one part of the visual system.
Vision involves how the brain processes and uses visual information, including focusing, tracking, coordination, and spatial awareness.
Because of this, someone can have 20/20 eyesight and still experience symptoms like dizziness and fatigue, or have trouble focusing visually.
Why Screens Are Creating More Visual Stress
Modern life places enormous demands on the visual system. Phones, laptops, and tablets require hours of close-up focus, which can lead to visual fatigue.
Dr. Appelbaum explains that excessive near work and screen use are contributing to rising rates of myopia (nearsightedness) worldwide.
Simple habits like taking regular visual breaks, looking farther away, and spending more time outdoors can help reduce visual stress.
Vision Training Isn’t Just for Athletes
Elite athletes often train their visual systems to improve reaction time, tracking, and spatial awareness. But these skills are important for everyday life too.
Vision performance training focuses on strengthening how the eyes and brain work together, improving visual processing and coordination.
What Vision Therapy Actually Does
Vision therapy works to retrain the brain through visual input. Rather than simply correcting eyesight, it helps improve coordination between the eyes and the brain.
This type of training can help people experiencing:
- Screen fatigue
- Reading challenges
- Concussion symptoms
- Visual coordination problems
And many more functional vision related challenges.
When Vision Problems Look Like ADHD
Functional vision challenges can sometimes mimic symptoms associated with ADHD or learning difficulties.
Children struggling with visual processing may lose their place while reading, skip words, avoid homework, and have difficulty focusing.
Recognizing these signs early can help identify when vision may be playing a role in learning or attention challenges.
Supporting Eye and Brain Health
Vision health is closely connected to overall brain and body health. Dr. Appelbaum highlights the importance of nutrition and lifestyle in supporting the visual system.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, lutein, and zeaxanthin help support both brain and eye health alongside supplements to support healthy brain and vision function, such as the Vision Essentials Bundle.
If this conversation resonated with you, the next step is understanding how your own visual system may be functioning.
MyVisionFirst™ offers a quick online vision quiz designed to help identify common signs of functional vision issues, including symptoms related to reading fatigue, screen stress, dizziness, attention challenges, and visual overwhelm.
Taking the quiz can help you better understand whether your symptoms may be connected to how your eye-brain connection is working.
You can also explore additional resources, vision training programs like ScreenFit™, and educational content from Dr. Bryce Appelbaum at MyVisionFirst.com.
Start by taking the Vision Quiz to check how your visual system may be functioning.
Resources
Resources
Are Functional Vision Problems Holding You Back? Find Out Now.
Curious if a functional evaluation could help you or your child?
We invite you to start with our quick self-check quiz or schedule a discovery call with our team to learn more about how MyVisionFirst can help.
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