Digital Eye Strain

Struggling with eye strain is extremely frustrating, especially as it usually sets in when there is still work to be done. With a significant percentage of the population working on screens for extended periods of time, we have almost all experienced this strain. Thankfully there are things that we can do in order to reduce this discomfort and help our eyes relax despite the long working hours. 

At Bayview Vision, this is something patients are consistently telling us about their difficulties with eye strain and looking for solutions. This post aims to educate you on what the symptoms look like, why we experience them, and what can be done to reduce the effects. 

Eye strain, also known as asthenopia or computer vision syndrome, is a common condition that occurs when your eyes become tired and overworked from prolonged use. 

Symptoms of eye strain can be mild to severe and vary from person to person, some of these symptoms include:

• Headache

• Sore or tired eyes

• Dry or watery eyes

• Redness

• Trouble focusing

• Blurred or double vision

• Sensitivity to light.

• Neck or back stiffness 

There are many different reasons that we experience this strain. Depending on our lifestyles, there can be multiple factors that cause eye strain. 

• Prolonged use of digital devices: Using digital devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones for long periods, we are exposed to significant amounts of Blue Light which has a short wavelength and high energy. This type of light scatters more easily than other colors, making it harder for the eyes to focus.

• Poor conditions: Poor lighting conditions and posture cause the eyes to work harder to see. Reduced amounts of light as well as glare on our screens will cause significant discomfort. Sitting too close or too far from the screen, slouching, or holding a device too close to the face can also cause eye strain.

• Uncorrected vision problems: People who have uncorrected vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism may experience eye strain when using digital devices.

• Lack of breaks: Taking breaks and looking away from the screen every 20 minutes can help prevent eye strain. Failure to do so can lead to eye fatigue and discomfort.

Once you recognize that you may be experiencing eye strain, ensure that you consider the following to find more comfort in your work days. 

• Routine Eye Exams: During an eye exam, your doctor will evaluate the health of your eyes and identify any issues that may be causing or contributing to eye strain, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia. Using corrective lenses if needed eliminates your need to strain and squint to see. We also offer specialty testing and lenses that can further reduce these effects. 

• 20/20/20 Rule: This rule suggests taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away. Looking at screens, our eyes become fatigued due to the constant focus and refocus needed to process the images. By looking away every 20 minutes and focusing on something 20 feet away, our eyes can relax and recover. This distance is about the same as looking out a window or across a room, which helps our eyes adjust to a more natural focal length.

• Blue light lenses: Another tool that can help reduce strain is applied as a coating on lenses. Using this Blue Light blocker to cut down on the blue light that enters our eyes due to screen use, is believed to reduce some of the digital strain we experience. While blue light blocking glasses may help reduce eye strain and discomfort for some patients, it is important to note that they have not yet been proven to do so. 

• Screen Adjustments: Adjusting your screen’s positioning and display settings to your preference will also help relax the eyes. Your screen should be at or slightly below eye level and about an arm's length away from your face. Adjust the brightness to what is comfortable for your eyes, making it only bright enough to see well. Increase contrast and text size to make the text sharper and clearer. Some computers also have settings you can enable such as blue light and dark mode to reduce the amount of light being emitted. 

Our staff knows firsthand how digital strain can negatively impact our work days and we are here to help you reduce those effects. Give us a call to arrange an appointment to assess your eye health and vision, getting your workday efficiency back where you need it.