Too much screen time can leave your eyes feeling tired, dry, irritated, or blurry after hours on a computer, phone, or tablet. Taking regular breaks, blinking more often, adjusting your screen setup, and keeping your vision prescription current may reduce discomfort. When symptoms persist, an exam can help uncover issues that need attention through appropriate eye care.
Dr. Raymond Stein of Bochner Eye Institute is a board-certified ophthalmologist, Medical Director of the practice, and Professor of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto. He has performed more than 200,000 eye surgeries during his career. Bochner Eye Institute has locations in Toronto, Scarborough, Unionville, and Oakville, ON.
Why Do Screens Make Your Eyes Feel Tired?
Your eyes do a lot of close-up work when you spend long stretches reading emails, scrolling, or working on a computer. You also tend to blink less while concentrating on a screen. Less blinking can allow the tear film covering your eyes to evaporate more quickly, contributing to dryness, burning, or irritation.
Digital eye strain may also cause headaches, blurred vision, difficulty shifting your gaze between near and distant objects, and soreness around the eyes. Your posture and workstation setup can contribute to neck and shoulder discomfort as well.
Give Your Eyes Regular Breaks
One easy habit is the 20-20-20 rule. About every 20 minutes, look at something roughly 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. That gives your eyes a short break from sustained near work.
You can also make screen time easier on your eyes by:
- Blinking intentionally: A few full, slow blinks help redistribute your tear film.
- Reducing glare: Adjust nearby lighting and reposition your monitor when reflections make the screen harder to view.
- Changing your screen position: Keep your monitor at a comfortable distance and slightly lower than eye level.
- Increasing text size: You shouldn’t have to squint or lean toward your screen to read.
- Taking longer breaks: Get away from your desk periodically rather than spending every break on another device.
Know When Eye Strain Deserves an Exam
Screen habits aren’t always the whole story. Issues like outdated glasses or contact lens prescriptions, astigmatism, dry eye, or difficulty with near vision can make computer work more uncomfortable.
Persistent blurry vision, frequent headaches, ongoing dryness, eye pain, or symptoms that continue after you step away from your devices are good reasons to have your eyes checked. An exam will help clarify what’s contributing to the problem instead of assuming screen time is solely responsible.
Make Screen Time Easier on Your Eyes
A few simple changes to your routine can make long hours of digital work more comfortable. If your symptoms aren’t improving, contact us to arrange an eye evaluation with Dr. Raymond Stein of Bochner Eye Institute. The practice serves Toronto, Scarborough, Unionville, and Oakville, ON, and can be reached at 416-960-2020.