If you spend hours each day looking at computers, phones, or tablets, you’ve probably noticed your eyes feeling tired and uncomfortable. The constant focus on digital screens can leave your eyes feeling scratchy, burning, or unusually watery. At Willoughby Doctors of Optometry, we help Langley residents understand how modern technology affects their vision and provide comprehensive eye exams to address these concerns.
Yes, screen time can cause dry eyes by reducing your natural blink rate and disrupting the tear film that keeps your eyes moist and comfortable. When you stare at digital devices, you blink up to 60% less than normal, which prevents your tears from spreading evenly across your eye surface.
How Screen Time Affects Your Eyes
When you focus on digital screens, your blink rate drops significantly from the normal 15-20 blinks per minute to as few as 5 blinks per minute. This reduced blinking means your tears don’t spread evenly across your eyes, leading to dryness and irritation.
Your eyes depend on a healthy tear film to stay comfortable and function properly. Each time you blink, you refresh this protective layer of moisture across your eye surface. Understanding digital eye strain can help you recognize when screen time is affecting your vision.
What Happens When You Blink Less
- Your tear film breaks down faster
- Eyes become exposed to air longer
- Natural moisture evaporates more quickly
- Eye surface becomes irritated
Signs Your Screen Time Is Causing Dry Eyes
You may start noticing dryness, irritation, or discomfort after spending extended time on your computer, phone, or tablet. These symptoms often worsen as the day goes on—especially if you work at a computer or spend long hours focusing on digital screens.
Many people experience digital eye strain (also known as computer vision syndrome), which can include dry eyes as one of its main symptoms. The discomfort typically develops after prolonged screen use when your eyes blink less and the tear film begins to evaporate more quickly.
Our optometrists in Langley offer digital eye strain assessments and treatments to help relieve these symptoms and protect your long-term eye health.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Feeling like something is in your eye
- Redness around the eyes
- Blurry vision that improves when you blink
- Eyes that water excessively
- Tired, heavy feeling in your eyes
Why Screen Time Makes Your Eyes Dry
Several factors work together when you use digital devices for extended periods. Your eyes work harder to focus on pixelated screens compared to printed materials, and this increased effort can contribute to fatigue.
The positioning of most screens also encourages you to open your eyes wider than normal. This increased exposure to air accelerates tear evaporation and contributes to dryness. Learn more about dry eye conditions and their underlying causes.
Environmental Factors That Make It Worse
- Air conditioning or heating that reduces humidity
- Positioning screens too close or too far away
- Poor lighting that causes glare
- Sitting directly under air vents
Simple Ways to Prevent Screen-Related Dry Eyes
You can take several steps to protect your eyes during screen time without major changes to your routine. Small adjustments to your workspace and habits can make a significant difference in your comfort.
The key is consistency, these strategies work when you use them regularly throughout your screen time, not just when symptoms appear.
The 20-20-20 Rule
Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a chance to relax and reset their focus. The 20-20-20 rule is a proven method to reduce eye strain during extended screen sessions.
Set a timer or use computer software that reminds you to take these breaks. Your eyes need these brief rest periods to maintain comfort during long work sessions.
Adjust Your Workspace
- Position your screen about arm’s length away
- Keep the top of your screen at or below eye level
- Reduce glare with blinds or an anti-glare screen filter
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to dry indoor air
Remember to Blink More Often
Make a conscious effort to blink fully and frequently. You can even try the “blink exercise” — deliberately blink 10 times slowly every hour.
Complete blinks help spread your tears evenly across your eye surface and clear away debris that can cause irritation.
When You Need Professional Eye Care in Langley
If your eyes still feel dry or irritated even after reducing screen time or using artificial tears, it’s a good idea to book an eye exam. Persistent dryness may indicate chronic dry eye disease, which can have multiple underlying causes beyond digital screen use.
At Willoughby Doctors of Optometry, our optometrists can determine whether your symptoms stem from digital eye strain or another dry eye condition. We offer digital eye strain treatment in Langley, along with customized dry eye therapy plans to help restore lasting comfort and protect your vision.
If artificial tears and workspace adjustments don’t provide relief within a week or two, it’s time to schedule an eye exam. Persistent dry eyes can indicate other conditions that need professional care. Our comprehensive eye exams can detect underlying issues that contribute to dry eye symptoms.
Signs You Need Professional Help
- Symptoms continue even when you’re not using screens
- Your vision becomes consistently blurry
- Eyes feel scratchy or painful
- Artificial tears don’t provide relief
- Symptoms interfere with work or daily activities
Prevent Dry Eyes from Screen Time
Spending time on digital devices is part of everyday life, but that doesn’t mean your eyes have to feel dry or uncomfortable. By following healthy screen habits and seeking professional care when needed, you can enjoy clear, comfortable vision while staying connected and productive.
At Willoughby Doctors of Optometry, we help Langley families prevent and manage dry eyes from screen use through personalized care and proven digital eye strain treatments in Langley. Contact us today to schedule your comprehensive eye exam and discover simple ways to keep your eyes healthy in a digital world.
