For many adults, screen time is simply part of the workday. Between computers, phones, tablets and video calls, it is easy to spend most of your waking hours looking at a screen.
If your eyes feel tired, dry, irritated or strained by the end of the day, you are not imagining it. Extended screen use can contribute to digital eye strain, especially when you are focused on a screen for hours without a break.
The good news? A few simple changes, along with the right eyewear and expert guidance, can make your workday more comfortable.
What is Digital Eye Strain?
Digital eye strain, sometimes called computer vision syndrome, refers to a group of symptoms that can develop after prolonged screen use. These may include:
- Tired or sore eyes
- Dryness or irritation
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Difficulty focusing
- Increased sensitivity to light
In most cases, screen-related eye strain is temporary and improves when you give your eyes a break. However, frequent or persistent symptoms are worth discussing with your eye doctor.
Simple Ways to Make Screen Time Easier on Your Eyes
Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a break from prolonged close-up focus.
Check your screen position. Keep your monitor about an arm’s length away and slightly below eye level. Adjust the position to minimize glare from windows and overhead lighting.
Make text easier to read. Increase your font size or adjust your display settings if you find yourself squinting or leaning toward the screen.
Remember to blink. Making a conscious effort to blink fully and regularly can help with screen-related dryness.
Step away when you can. Use breaks to look out a window, take a walk or simply spend a few minutes away from your screen.
Is Your Prescription Working for Your Workday?
Your everyday eyewear should work as hard as you do. Even a small change in your prescription can make screen-heavy work more difficult. If you are squinting at your monitor, experiencing frequent headaches or noticing that your vision is not as sharp as it used to be, it may be time for an updated prescription.
At JJ Eyes, eye care goes beyond simply finding the right prescription. Our team takes a personalized approach to helping you see and feel your best, from your comprehensive eye exam to the eyewear you wear every day.
And when it comes to selecting frames, the experience is just as personal. JJ Eyes offers bespoke frame styling and one-on-one service designed around your individual prescription, lifestyle, face shape and personal aesthetic. The goal is not simply to find a pair of glasses that helps you see clearly, but to find eyewear that feels distinctly like you.
For patients who spend much of their day behind a screen, that personalized expertise can make all the difference in finding eyewear that fits comfortably into the way you actually live and work.
Routine eye exams are about more than seeing clearly. They also give your eye doctor an opportunity to check your overall eye health and identify changes that may not be obvious in your everyday vision.
If it has been a while since your last eye exam, consider scheduling an appointment at JJ Eyes. From expert eye care to highly personalized frame styling, we are here to make seeing clearly feel effortless.
Your screen is probably not going anywhere. Your eye care should keep up with it.