Digital eye strain occurs when you spend too much time staring at a screen, and it can result in everything from headaches and neck tension to dry eyes and blurry vision. Plus, it’s fairly common: According to the Vision Council, over 27 percent of people have experienced headaches as a result of digital eye strain.
Writing for prolonged periods, and staring at a screen quickly leads to dry eyes. This is a common problem shared by millions of people who use any kind of computer screen without taking the necessary breaks.
The Cost of Staring at a Computer Screen
Eye strain, blurry vision, headaches and dry eyes are some of the most common symptoms people suffer after they've looked at a screen for a long period of time. Staring at any object for too long can strain your eyes. So this isn't anything new.
The closer you are to the screen the worse your problems become.
What Staring at a Screen Does to Your Eyes
Leigh Plowman OD an optometrist in Australia, specialising in dry eyes, says that there are two main eye systems that are affected by prolonged screen time use; binocular and tear film.
Binocular vision helps your eyes move inwards towards each other so you can see the images and words on the screen. Your eyes are covered in a thin layer called a tear film which protects your eyes from harmful bacteria. Every blink you make restores your tear film.
Any kind of screen use reduces the amount of times your eyes blink and lessens the amount of time your eyes need to focus on an object.
The Unseen Epidemic of Eye Strain
Most people don't realise just how common eye strain has become. In a study published in 2018 it suggested that 50% of the population suffered from eye strain. Technology takes up a large part of life these days, which means things like meetings, shopping, and relaxing are done online.
People with eye strain also encounter other problems such as:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dry eyes
- Blurred vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Trouble focusing
- Eye pain soreness
Any one of these symptoms can lead to a pretty miserable writing life.
What can you do about it?
6 Ways to Protect Your Eyes and Reduce Eye Strain
1. Take a Break from all Devices
Choose not to go on any device. Who knows, you might even like it.
2. Make Blinking a Habit When You're Staring at Your Screen
Sounds so simple but this basic action will help keep your eyes moist, reduce irritation and prevent your eyes from drying out.
3. Increase the Size of Your Device's Font
If you're squinting to read the text, make things more clear by increasing the size of the text you read on the screen. If need be, buy a larger monitor.
4. Find Time to Break
Having time away from any screen is a good thing. The less stress on your eyes and body the better.
5. Have an Eye Test
If you're really struggling, book an appointment with your optometrist and get your eyes checked out.
6. Use the 20-20-20 Rule
Look at another object for at least 20 minutes that's 20 feet away for 20 seconds to rest your eyes.
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