Dealing With Eye Strain – Taking Care of Your Eyes After Too Much Screen Time

We spend a lot of time looking at screens — including our phones, laptops, tablets and computer monitors. We use our screens to watch shows, shop, work, stay in contact with friends and family and keep up with the daily news. Unfortunately, too much screen time can wreak havoc on our eye health.

Are you suffering from ongoing dry eye, headaches or other signs of eye strain? The knowledgeable eye doctors at Access Eye are here to help! Here, they discuss how to combat eye strain and take care of your eyes after too much screen time.

Take Regular Breaks

While we know that breaks are important for mental and physical health, we also know that it can be easy to forget to take them — especially when you are caught up in an important task or enjoying your time online. If you are working or know you will be using a screen for an extended period of time, schedule regular breaks. You may want to set a timer or even use a post-it note near your desk to remind yourself to give your eyes a rest.

A popular tool for an eye break is following the “20-20-20” rule. For every 20 minutes of screen time, take 20 seconds to look at an object 20 feet away.

Keep Your Eyes Moisturized

You are more likely to suffer from dry eye when looking at a screen. This is because you tend to blink less when looking at screens. Try to keep your eyes moisturized by blinking more. You may also want to consider using artificial tears and including a humidifier in your office space.

Check Your Setup

Your screen setup matters when it comes to eye strain. Ideally, your screen should be an arm’s length away from you. It should also be positioned so that your eyes have to gaze slightly downward.

Cut Down on Glare

People are surprised at how much glare can impact their screen experience. Try to cut down on glare as much as possible. You can do this by adjusting the brightness and contrast of your screen. Depending on the lighting in your work area, you may have to do this throughout the day. You may also want to consider an anti-glare screen protector.

Consider Switching From Contacts to Eyeglasses

If you are struggling with dry or irritated eyes you may want to switch from contacts to eyeglasses (at least until you find symptom relief).

Talk to Your Doctor

Your eye health matters. If you are suffering from eye strain it may be time to talk to your doctor. Symptoms of eye strain include the following:

• Dry eye
• Headaches
• Blurry vision
• Burning eyes
• Itching eyes
• Light sensitivity

Schedule an Eye Exam

It’s important to schedule regular eye exams, especially if you are struggling with eye strain. Schedule an eye exam at one of Access Eye’s five Virginia locations. We have offices in Fredericksburg, Stafford, King George and Spotsylvania. You can contact us online or by calling (540) 371-2020.