Between work, school and phones, many of us spend most of our waking hours looking at screens. Digital eye strain is the name for the tired, achy, dry feeling that often follows.
Common symptoms
- Tired or aching eyes by the end of the day
- Headaches, often around the forehead and temples
- Dry, burning or watery eyes
- Blurry vision when you look up from the screen
- Neck and shoulder tension
Why screens are hard on eyes
We blink up to half as often when focused on a screen, which lets tears evaporate. Holding focus at one distance for hours also tires the focusing muscles.
Easy fixes
- Use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
- Place your screen an arm's length away and slightly below eye level
- Reduce glare from windows and overhead lights
- Blink fully and often, especially when reading
- Use a humidifier in dry winter months
When to see an optometrist
If symptoms keep coming back, an exam can check for an outdated prescription, focusing issues or dry eye. Sometimes a small prescription change or dry eye treatment makes screen time much more comfortable.
ready for Comprehensive Eye Exam?
Book with Dr. Larson inside the Walmart Vision Center at 2440 W. Mason Street, Green Bay, or call (920) 405-9165.