Screen Time Affects Your Eyes

Screens are all around us. You likely have one in each room of your house. You may even have one in your hand right now. However you’re reading this, it’s on a screen.

In our digital life, Canadians are spending an average of 11 hours each day in front of screens. This includes computer use during work hours, time spent watching TV, and all of those hours scrolling and chatting on our phones.

We rely on screens so much, but we don’t often stop to think about how screens could be affecting our eyes. Do you ever get tired, stinging eyes? It could be a sign of digital eye strain.

Talk to your optometrist about how you can manage digital eye strain symptoms and take care of your eye health while using screens.

Book Appointment

Watch for Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain

If you can recognize the signs and symptoms of digital eye strain, it may help you avoid discomfort in the future.

Signs and symptoms include:

Itching or burning eyes
Dry eyes
Watery eyes
Eye fatigue
Blurred our doubled vision
Neck, shoulder, and/or back pain
Headaches
Sensitivity to light

What You Can Do

If you use a screen for a prolonged time, you can take preventative measures to give your eyes a break.

Make sure you speak to your optometrist to develop the right plan of action for your eyes. We will work with you to eliminate other causes for your discomfort, such as strained eyes from an incorrect prescription or dry eye syndrome.

You can reduce digital eye strain at home by following these recommendations:

Practise the 20-20-20 rule: after 20 minutes of using a screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a chance to readjust.
Place your screen an arm’s length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level.
Match the brightness of your screen to your surroundings, turn down the brightness in the evening, and set colour contrast tones to suit your eyes.
Minimize the glare reflecting onto your screen by repositioning or dimming lights, using an anti-glare screen cover, and choosing an angle that avoids bright window reflections.
Keep your screen clean to increase visual clarity (remove fingerprints, dust, etc.).
Keep paperwork at the same level as your monitor to reduce the movement needed when looking between the 2.

Focus Comfortably

You deserve comfortable eyes.

Whether you’re using your screens for leisure or work, ensure you’re not straining your eyes day in and day out by speaking with your optometrist about your options.

Our team could recommend treatments like computer or task specific lenses, eye drops, warm compresses, exercises, and lifestyle changes that can help you.

We will be happy to discuss your digital habits and help you find your solution at your eye exam. Any time you think you may be experiencing digital eye strain, we’re here to help. Come talk to us today.