Prevent Dry, Irritated Eyes from Computer Use

With how prevalent digital devices are in everyday life, it is no surprise an estimated 50% of computer users experience digital eye strain. This condition can cause discomfort, headaches, and dry eyes with extended computer time.

The average American worker spends roughly 7 hours on the computer a day. Without proper breaks, many people experience the symptoms of digital eye strain, including:

Blurred vision
Difficulty focusing
Tired eyes
Light sensitivity
Discomfort
Headaches
Dry eyes
Watery eyes
Neck & shoulder pain

book an appointment

Digital Eye Strain Causes

The continuous act of focusing on a single task is one of the main causes of digital eye strain. This can include driving or reading for long periods.

Eye strain is common when using a computer or other digital device, especially for more than 2 hours. An undiagnosed refractive error may contribute to eye strain, so it is important to have your eyes assessed if you experience any related symptoms.

Our habits and environment can contribute to digital eye strain. When using computers, we typically:

Blink less
Use devices with glare or poor contrast
Adopt poor posture
View screens from poor distances & angles

Treating Digital Eye Strain

Thankfully, eye strain does not pose any serious risks or long-term consequences, but it can make computer work uncomfortable. Changing your working habits can help prevent future eye strain. Resting your eyes can help with any immediate discomfort:

Remember to blink.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule; every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something at least 20 feet away.
Adjust your brightness and contrast to match your room lighting.
Reduce screen glare by positioning your screen away from windows and bright lights.
Use proper body positioning while on a computer.

Do Not Ignore Symptoms

If you have made adjustments to your computer habits and are still experiencing discomfort, book an appointment with us. You may have an underlying eye condition we can diagnose during a comprehensive eye exam.