You’ve likely had this experience: you finish work after a long day, feeling good that your projects are (sort of) done, and you’re ready to call it quits. But when you finally look up from your computer, you notice your eyes are blurry, itchy, and DRY.
It’s a common experience if you work on a computer. Screens are hard on our eyes, and can leave them feeling strained after just a few hours. In fact, screen use is actually changing the structure of our eyes and affecting the glands that keep them moist.
A recent CBC article explains some of the common causes of dry eyes, including screen use. The immense amount of time that we now spend in front of screens, without the typical breaks and distractions that used to be a normal part of our day at work, is having an impact on how dry our eyes feel.
This phenomenon is so common that it has a name: Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Symptoms of CVS include headaches, muscle aches, and of course, eye irritation and dryness. Thankfully, this syndrome has not been known to cause long term damage, but it can certainly impact your daily life.
While many of us experience mild dry eye symptoms from screen use, see an optometrist if your symptoms occur often or severely. You may have an underlying condition that requires treatment. It’s also possible to develop Meibomian Gland Dysfunction from a lack of blinking. A regular eye exam will ensure you receive proper care.
It’s a common experience if you work on a computer. Screens are hard on our eyes, and can leave them feeling strained after just a few hours. In fact, screen use is actually changing the structure of our eyes and affecting the glands that keep them moist.
A recent CBC article explains some of the common causes of dry eyes, including screen use. The immense amount of time that we now spend in front of screens, without the typical breaks and distractions that used to be a normal part of our day at work, is having an impact on how dry our eyes feel.
This phenomenon is so common that it has a name: Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Symptoms of CVS include headaches, muscle aches, and of course, eye irritation and dryness. Thankfully, this syndrome has not been known to cause long term damage, but it can certainly impact your daily life.
While many of us experience mild dry eye symptoms from screen use, see an optometrist if your symptoms occur often or severely. You may have an underlying condition that requires treatment. It’s also possible to develop Meibomian Gland Dysfunction from a lack of blinking. A regular eye exam will ensure you receive proper care.
Why do screens make our eyes dry?
There are a couple of reasons why screens tend to make our eyes dry. Most of them have to do with the fact that screens provide a new and unique challenge to our eyes. There’s been a drastic increase in how much time we spend looking at a screen. In a few hundred years, our ancestors may evolve to be able to look at screens with ease (lucky them!) but for now, our eyes are still accommodating this new challenge.
Because of the size of screens, our eyes tend to be more strained when they are staring at a computer or phone. The combination of artificial light and small text forces our pupils to work extra hard. This strain can result in dry eyes and irritation.
We also blink less often when we’re looking at a screen. According to a 2018 study by BMJ Open Ophthalmology, people blink around 50% less often when using a computer! Instead of blinking 10-12 times a minute, you may only blink 5 times a minute when looking at a screen. Blinking helps with tear production and keeps our eyes moist and protected. When we don’t blink, our eyes aren’t properly moisturized and become dry as a result.
A common recommendation to reduce eye strain caused by screens is to take regular breaks from looking at them. This is sound advice, but the reality is that many of us have no choice but to look at screens for extended periods of time due to work.
Because of the size of screens, our eyes tend to be more strained when they are staring at a computer or phone. The combination of artificial light and small text forces our pupils to work extra hard. This strain can result in dry eyes and irritation.
We also blink less often when we’re looking at a screen. According to a 2018 study by BMJ Open Ophthalmology, people blink around 50% less often when using a computer! Instead of blinking 10-12 times a minute, you may only blink 5 times a minute when looking at a screen. Blinking helps with tear production and keeps our eyes moist and protected. When we don’t blink, our eyes aren’t properly moisturized and become dry as a result.
A common recommendation to reduce eye strain caused by screens is to take regular breaks from looking at them. This is sound advice, but the reality is that many of us have no choice but to look at screens for extended periods of time due to work.
How can you avoid dry eyes from screen use?
Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to help alleviate your dry eyes, even if you’re using screens for extended periods.
Keep screens at a reasonable distance away from your face. The closer your screen is to your eyes, the greater the strain. Many people hold their screen somewhere around 8-12 inches from their faces. Optometrists recommend stretching this space to about 22 inches. This can help to keep your eyes from becoming overwhelmed and encourage normal blink times to resume.
Make sure you blink. When you’re scanning a long document, editing a video, or doing endless data entry, force yourself to blink often. This helps to spread tears evenly over the surface of your eyes. Being aware of your blinking rate can help you remember to blink, and reduce the risk of dry eye symptoms.
Adjust your screen. Keep the brightness level in line with the rest of the room. You should also increase your font size and choose a font that’s comfortable to read to reduce the strain on your eyes. Lowering your screen or raising your chair can help to lower your eyelids, providing more protection to keep your eyes moist.
Use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look up from your screen for 20 seconds, focussing on something that’s 20 feet away. This will allow your eyes to adjust, rest, and rehydrate.
Visit your optometrist. Over 300 million people globally suffer from dry eye disease. If your eyes regularly feel dry and uncomfortable, it’s important to find out what’s causing this condition. An optometrist will identify and treat any conditions that are contributing to your symptoms, and offer suggestions to help make working on a screen more comfortable.
Come visit us at Lethbridge Vision Care so we can help you manage your dry eye symptoms, no matter their cause. We’re experienced working with patients of all ages and have a full range of treatment options to alleviate your dry eyes. Don’t suffer with dry eyes! Options are available to protect your eye health and quality of life. Book your consultation today.
Keep screens at a reasonable distance away from your face. The closer your screen is to your eyes, the greater the strain. Many people hold their screen somewhere around 8-12 inches from their faces. Optometrists recommend stretching this space to about 22 inches. This can help to keep your eyes from becoming overwhelmed and encourage normal blink times to resume.
Make sure you blink. When you’re scanning a long document, editing a video, or doing endless data entry, force yourself to blink often. This helps to spread tears evenly over the surface of your eyes. Being aware of your blinking rate can help you remember to blink, and reduce the risk of dry eye symptoms.
Adjust your screen. Keep the brightness level in line with the rest of the room. You should also increase your font size and choose a font that’s comfortable to read to reduce the strain on your eyes. Lowering your screen or raising your chair can help to lower your eyelids, providing more protection to keep your eyes moist.
Use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look up from your screen for 20 seconds, focussing on something that’s 20 feet away. This will allow your eyes to adjust, rest, and rehydrate.
Visit your optometrist. Over 300 million people globally suffer from dry eye disease. If your eyes regularly feel dry and uncomfortable, it’s important to find out what’s causing this condition. An optometrist will identify and treat any conditions that are contributing to your symptoms, and offer suggestions to help make working on a screen more comfortable.
Come visit us at Lethbridge Vision Care so we can help you manage your dry eye symptoms, no matter their cause. We’re experienced working with patients of all ages and have a full range of treatment options to alleviate your dry eyes. Don’t suffer with dry eyes! Options are available to protect your eye health and quality of life. Book your consultation today.
