Between work, school, and entertainment, many of us spend more time staring at screens than ever before. Whether it’s a laptop, phone, or tablet, prolonged screen time can take a real toll on your eye health. At our Boca Raton practice, we regularly help patients experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain and computer vision syndrome—two increasingly common conditions caused by extended exposure to digital devices.
What Is Digital Eye Strain?
Digital eye strain, sometimes called computer vision syndrome, is a group of vision-related symptoms that result from prolonged screen use. This can include anything from blurry vision to dry, irritated eyes. Staring at a screen for hours on end forces your eye muscles to work harder than usual—focusing, refocusing, and reacting to pixelated images and changing brightness levels. Over time, that effort can lead to discomfort and fatigue.
Common symptoms include:
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Eye fatigue or strain
- Dry, itchy, or watery eyes
- Headaches
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Difficulty concentrating after screen use
Understanding the Screen Time Impact
The average adult now spends more than seven hours a day looking at screens—and the number is often even higher among students and professionals. This screen time impact doesn’t just cause temporary discomfort; over time, it can interfere with visual performance and overall eye health.
A major contributor to this strain is the reduced blink rate when using digital devices. We tend to blink less while focused on a screen, which can cause our tear film to evaporate too quickly, leading to dryness and irritation. Add poor lighting, glare, and improper viewing distances, and it’s easy to see how eye strain becomes a daily issue.
How Blue Light Plays a Role
Digital screens emit blue light, a high-energy visible light that contributes to eye fatigue and may affect your sleep patterns by interfering with your circadian rhythm. While there’s no proven link between blue light and permanent eye damage, excessive exposure—especially in the evening—can worsen symptoms of digital eye strain and disrupt your ability to fall asleep.
Our eye care team often recommends blue-light-filtering lenses for patients who work long hours on screens or experience difficulty winding down at night. These lenses can ease the visual demand on your eyes and promote more comfortable screen use.
Preventative Tips for Healthier Screen Habits
Protecting your eyes from screen-related discomfort doesn’t mean giving up your devices—it means using them more mindfully. Here are some practical tips our eye care team recommends:
- Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.
- Adjust screen settings: Increase text size, reduce screen brightness, and minimize glare.
- Blink more often: Train yourself to blink intentionally, especially during long tasks.
- Use artificial tears: Lubricating eye drops can help relieve dryness throughout the day.
- Check your setup: Position your screen about arm’s length away and slightly below eye level.
- Wear proper eyewear: Consider blue light lenses or prescription computer glasses tailored to your visual demands.
When to See an Eye Care Professional
If you experience ongoing symptoms of digital eye strain, it’s time for a comprehensive eye exam. We’ll assess your visual needs, evaluate your screen habits, and recommend a personalized solution—whether that’s a new prescription, specialty lenses, or updated screen ergonomics.
Don’t let screen time take control of your comfort. Contact us today to schedule your eye exam and learn how to support your eyes in the digital age. Your vision—and your quality of life—depend on it.