What is Digital Eye Strain?
Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, is a group of eye and vision-related problems that can result from prolonged use of phones, computers, and tablets. Outdated prescriptions, poor ergonomics, or glasses and contacts that aren’t designed for up-close work can increase eye strain.
As we use these devices for work, school, and other daily activities, it’s difficult to reduce the time we spend on them. That’s why we work with you to find tools, give recommendations, and offer treatments that can help reduce your symptoms.
Don’t let digital eye strain distract you from what’s important. Book your eye exam today!
Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain
Some common symptoms associated with digital eye strain include:
- Dry or tired eyes
- Squinting or straining your eyes
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Light sensitivity
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain
If you think you’re dealing with digital eye strain, let us know. We’re happy to help you find effective solutions.
We Can Help You Manage Eye Strain
Relief from digital eye strain begins with a proper diagnosis. Once we have confirmed the cause of your discomfort and ruled out other underlying causes, we can work on finding solutions that fit your life.
We may recommend:
- Blue light lenses feature a special filter that blocks blue light emitted by screens. They can reduce glare and improve comfort during long screen sessions.
- Computer glasses are designed specifically for close and intermediate distances (around 20–26 inches) to ease eye strain while working at a computer.
- Dry eye treatment can provide relief from burning, watery, or tired, dry eyes.
It’s important to meet with your optometrist to discuss your symptoms and lifestyle. If we recommend specialty lenses or glasses, our optometrists will customize them to your prescription and specific needs. Our glasses can be manufactured in our in-house lab, allowing us to maintain quality control and deliver your glasses more quickly.
Tips to Reduce Digital Eye Strain at Work or Home
In addition to professional care, there are a few easy adjustments you can make to help reduce digital eye strain throughout the day.
- Improve your workspace. Keep your screen about an arm’s length away and slightly below eye level to reduce eye strain. Try to maintain proper posture, with your hips, shoulders, head, and neck stacked in a vertical line.
- Follow the 20-20-20 Rule. For every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, look away at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps your eyes relax and refocus.
- Adjust lighting levels. Try to match your screen brightness to the room’s lighting levels. Avoid sitting at an angle where overhead lights or sunlight are reflected off your screen.
- Remember to blink. While it may sound silly, focusing on a digital screen makes us less likely to blink as often as we need to keep our eyes moist and comfortable. Remind yourself to blink more often while working at a screen.
These small changes help support long-term visual health and make you feel more comfortable.
Screen Time Without Eye Strain
Time spent on digital devices often can’t be helped. We use our computers, phones, and tablets for work and school, to communicate with friends and family, to stay connected with world events, and for leisure. While screens are a necessary part of modern life, digital eye strain doesn’t have to accompany them.
At Eyecare Plus, we’re committed to helping you see clearly and feel comfortable, for work, school, and everything in between. Book your eye exam and ask us about managing your digital eye strain today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Eye Strain
Digital eye strain, also called computer vision syndrome, is a group of eye and vision-related symptoms associated with prolonged use of digital screens such as computers, phones, and tablets. Symptoms can include tired or dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches, squinting, light sensitivity, and discomfort in the neck, shoulders, or back.
Common symptoms of digital eye strain include dry or tired eyes, blurry vision, headaches, light sensitivity, and frequent squinting or eye strain. Some people may also experience neck, shoulder, or back discomfort after spending long periods working at a computer or using other digital devices.
Digital eye strain can be associated with prolonged screen use, particularly when you’re focusing at a close distance for extended periods. An outdated prescription, poor workspace ergonomics, screen glare, and reduced blinking can also contribute to discomfort. Contact lenses or glasses that aren’t suited to your visual needs may make symptoms more noticeable.
You can help reduce digital eye strain by taking regular breaks, adjusting your workspace, managing screen glare, and remembering to blink frequently. The 20/20/20 rule is another helpful habit: every 20 minutes, look at something approximately 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
The 20/20/20 rule recommends that for every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, you look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Taking these regular breaks gives your eyes an opportunity to relax and refocus during extended periods of screen use.
Yes. An eye exam can help determine whether your symptoms are related to your prescription, dry eye, focusing needs, or another underlying issue. Your optometrist can evaluate your vision and eye health and recommend solutions based on your symptoms, work habits, and daily screen use.
The right glasses may help if your prescription or visual needs are contributing to your symptoms. Computer glasses are designed for the close and intermediate distances commonly used when working at a computer, generally around 20 to 26 inches. Your optometrist can determine whether they may be appropriate for your work or screen-use habits.
Computer glasses are prescription glasses designed for the viewing distances associated with computer work and other close or intermediate tasks. They can be customized to your visual needs and may be recommended if your regular glasses aren’t optimized for the distance at which you use your computer.
Blue light lenses use a filter designed to reduce the amount of blue light reaching the eyes from certain light sources and digital screens. Some people find that specialized lenses improve visual comfort or reduce glare during screen use. Your optometrist can discuss whether blue light lenses are appropriate for your specific needs.
Yes. Spending extended periods looking at a digital screen can cause you to blink less frequently, which may contribute to dry, irritated, or tired eyes. If dry eye is contributing to your symptoms, Eyecare Plus can evaluate the underlying cause and recommend appropriate dry eye treatment.
Position your screen about an arm’s length away and slightly below eye level. Adjust the screen brightness to match the room lighting and minimize reflections from overhead lights or windows. Maintaining good posture can also help reduce associated neck, shoulder, and back discomfort.
Rather than waiting until your eyes feel tired, take regular breaks throughout the day. Following the 20/20/20 rule is a simple way to build breaks into your screen routine. During breaks, look into the distance and allow your eyes to relax before returning to your work.
Consider scheduling an eye exam if your symptoms are frequent, persistent, or interfering with work, school, or daily activities. An optometrist can determine whether digital eye strain is contributing to your discomfort and check for other causes, such as an outdated prescription or dry eye.
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- Hendersonville, TN 37075-3349
IMPORTANT HEALTH COVERAGE TAX DOCUMENTS:
Form 1095-C for the 2025 tax year is available upon request. To request your copy, please contact Eyecare Plus at jennifer@myeyecareplus.com, 615-601-3888, or 419 Memorial Blvd Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Forms will be provided within 30 days of request, or by January 31st, whichever is sooner. This notice remains available through October 15, 2027.