Digital Eye Strain, Dry Eyes, Eye Care, Eye Care How To, Eye Health, Eye Safety, mypear
Screen Time and Vision Health: How to Protect Your Eyes in the Digital Age
Introduction
From work to play, screens dominate our lives. Whether it’s checking emails, streaming shows, or scrolling on a smartphone, modern life involves a lot of screen time. But with this digital convenience comes a growing concern—how does prolonged screen use affect our vision?
Many people feel eye discomfort after staring at a screen for hours. This can include dryness, fatigue, or blurred vision. This condition is often called Digital Eye Strain. The good news? You can safeguard your eye health with simple strategies and tools without sacrificing productivity or entertainment.
This guide explains the science of digital eye strain, its connection to blue light, and actionable tips for keeping your vision in peak condition.
What is Digital Eye Strain?
Digital Eye Strain, or Computer Vision Syndrome, refers to a set of eye problems. These issues come from using screens for a long time.
Common Symptoms
- Eye Fatigue
- Dry Eyes
- Headaches
- Blurred Vision
- Neck and Shoulder Pain
Causes
Digital Eye Strain occurs because our eyes work overtime to focus on-screen displays. Factors such as small fonts, poor lighting, prolonged focus, and reduced blinking contribute to these symptoms. As screens become more integral to our daily routines, eye fatigue and discomfort continue to rise.
Screen Time Effects on Dry Eye Symptoms
When we spend too much time in front of a screen, we blink less than usual. Blinking is an automatic process that helps to keep the eyes lubricated. When staring at any digital display, people are likely to blink less often — sometimes only one-third as much as when going about regular activity.
This decreased pace of blinking leads to uneven distribution of the tear film across the eye’s surface and faster evaporation of tears. In addition, environmental factors, like air conditioning or inadequate office ventilation, can lead to dryness when using screens, making dry eye worse.
How Eye Drops Can Relieve Dry Eyes
To alleviate the symptoms of dry eye caused by prolonged screen use, consider using high-quality eye drops specifically designed for this condition. MyPear’s selection of eye drops for dry eyes offers a variety of options. These products are formulated to provide immediate relief, restore moisture, and support the health of your tear film. These drops can help maintain comfort and eye health, especially during extended screen time.
How Prevalent Is It?
The Canadian Ophthalmological Society has also released the results of a survey about eye health awareness and concerns, which shows that 81% of Canadians have either experienced negative symptoms associated with their eyes and vision or are concerned about their overall eye health. These results reflect an increasing awareness and concern among Canadians about the impact of increased screen time and other lifestyle factors on their vision.
With screen time booming across all age groups, this trend is not letting up. The survey underlines that regular checkups and healthy habits can go a long way toward maintaining long-term eye health.
How Does Blue Light Affect Eye Health?
Blue light, emitted from devices such as laptops, smartphones, and TVs, is one of the main culprits behind prolonged screen usage.
The Risks of Blue Light Exposure
- Disruption to Sleep Cycles
Blue light inhibits the production of melatonin, a hormone needed for sleep. Using screens close to bedtime can cause restlessness or low-quality sleep.
- Impact on Vision
Though researchers are still investigating the long-term effects, overexposure to blue light can contribute to retinal damage, which could lead to an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration with time.
Why Our Screens Are Different
Unlike the natural blue light emitted by the sun, artificial blue light from devices can be potentially harmful if exposed for a long time.
Practical Tips for Eye Care
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Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
It’s so simple yet a game-changer for reducing eye strain. Every 20 minutes, focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This allows your eyes to take a break from looking at things up close.
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Adjust Your Screen Settings
- Brightness & Contrast
Adjust your screen brightness to your environment. An overly bright or dim screen makes your eyes work harder.
- Font Size
Increase the font size to make text more legible and reduce squinting.
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Maintain the Right Distance
- Screens should be about 20-24 inches from your eyes.
- You want to position the screen so that your gaze is slightly downward.
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Use Blue Light Filters
- Turn your devices on “Night Mode” or “Blue Light Filter” to decrease blue light emissions.
- Consider investing in blue light-blocking glasses, especially if you’re on screens for extended periods.
Best Eye Exercises for Screen Users
Doing simple eye exercises will help relieve you from Digital Eye Strain and keep your vision healthy.
Palming
- Rubbing your hands together for warmth
- Put your palms over your closed eyes and rest for a minute.
Blinking Breaks
On screens, we blink much less frequently — 66 percent less than usual. Plan your blinking breaks intentionally to ensure your eyes remain moist and less dry.
Eye Rolling
Roll your eyes clockwise, then counterclockwise slowly. This promotes blood flow and eases tension.
Creating a Screen-Healthy Environment
1. Optimize Lighting
- Avoid glare and harsh reflections by using soft lighting in your workspace.
- Mount your monitor in a way that lessens the effect of direct sunlight.
2. Choose Ergonomic Seating
Good posture can ease the pressure on your back and neck, which causes digital eye strain.
3. Invest in Specialized Products
Computer reading glasses, desks with ergonomic features, and humidifiers can help improve your workspace.
Recommended Products for Eye Fatigue Relief
Below are some essentials to help combat screen-related discomfort.
- Hylo Eye Drops — A preservative-free moisturizer for dry eyes.
- Blue Light Glasses – Combat eye fatigue and reduce blue light exposure.
- Omega-3 Supplements — Promote overall eye health and decrease inflammation.
Find these and other trusted, quality solutions at MyPEAR.
Prioritize Your Eye Health Today
Most of us spend long hours in front of a screen, but Digital Eye Strain doesn’t need to be. With healthy screen habits and the right tools, enjoying the digital world without harming your vision is easy.
Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen—start protecting your eyes now. Read more expert advice at MyPEAR’s Blog.
This content has been reviewed by Optometrist Dr. Davinder Sidhu.