Digital Eye Strain | DeWitt Eyecare

Find a Solution to Digital Eye Strain

How long have you been staring at a screen today? It’s been shown that the average American office worker spends 7 hours a day looking at a digital screen.

Our ever-increasing digital world puts extra demands on our eyes, causing them to feel fatigued or dry at the end of a long day. The good news is there are solutions to both prevent and alleviate the irritating symptoms of digital eye strain.

Visit us for a comprehensive eye exam to discover a treatment right for you.

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What Is Digital Eye Strain?

Digital eye strain, also referred to as computer vision syndrome, is a group of vision issues that are caused by the prolonged use of screens, including computers, phones, and tablets.

The image or text on a digital screen is not as precisely defined as on a page. There is also more opportunity for glare and reflection when looking at a screen which can make it more difficult for your eyes to see. These factors increase how hard your eyes have to work to focus an image, leading to fatigue and other symptoms.

Uncorrected refractive errors also put extra strain on the eyes, leading to the symptoms of digital eye strain. You can visit us for a comprehensive eye exam to ensure your prescription is up-to-date.

Causes, Symptoms, & Solutions

Digital eye strain can be caused by a number of environmental factors, including unaddressed vision issues, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms. Though the symptoms are irritating, they’re not typically permanent. You can try better screen habits to protect your eyes from excessive strain.

Causes

Digital eye strain can be caused by:

Poor lighting in your work environment
Uncorrected vision issues
Glare on the screen
Poor posture
Improper screen viewing distances

Symptoms

The symptoms you may be feeling if you’re experiencing digital eye strain include:

Tired eyes
Blurry vision
Headaches
Dry eyes
Neck and shoulder stiffness

Solutions

Help decrease the effects digital eye strain has on your eyes by trying out the following solutions:

Increase Blink Rate—when we’re focused on the task at hand, like staring at a screen at work, we often blink less. Try to increase how often you blink to keep your eyes adequately moisturized.
20-20-20 Rule—every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to stare at something at least 20 feet away.
Decrease Glare—proper lighting and being aware of windows and natural light can help you position your screen to decrease glare. You can also use an anti-glare screen filter.
Proper Screen Location—the optimal distance for viewing a digital screen is 20–28 inches from your eyes and 4–5 inches below eye level.
Visit Your Eye Doctor—getting your eyes examined will test how well you see and your eyes’ focusing power to determine your proper prescription.

Visit Us for Relief from Eye Fatigue

If you spend 2 or more consecutive hours a day staring at a screen, you may be at risk for digital eye strain.

Visit us for a comprehensive eye exam to ensure your eyes are working to the best of their ability. Even if your prescription is mild, getting the proper corrective lenses can significantly reduce the symptoms associated with digital eye strain.

Request an Appointment