Digital Eye Strain | Annapolis Vision Center

Stay Focused for Longer

Even now, you’re using a digital device to find information, work, and generally make full use of your day.

Still, if you’ve ever experienced tired, irritated eyes after using a digital device, you may have been experiencing digital eye strain. And although digital eye strain is common, uncomfortable eyes can undoubtedly affect how much you use your device and how long you can stay focused.

At Annapolis Vision Center, we understand how important your digital device is to your day-to-day life. If you’re struggling with maintaining your eye comfort at work, school, or home, book an appointment and get the help you need today.

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What Is Digital
Eye Strain?

Digital eye strain, sometimes known as computer vision syndrome, is an uncomfortable eye condition that can develop for many reasons. You may experience digital eye strain if:

You spend too much time focused on a digital device.
Your screen is too far or too close to your eyes.
You sit in an uncomfortable position at your desk.
You have glare on your screen.

If you work on a digital device for more than 2 hours a day, you could have a higher risk of experiencing digital eye strain as well as exacerbating dry eye disease. You may experience symptoms more often if you have dry eye or an uncorrected visual error like nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Common Symptoms

The symptoms you experience may change depending on the device you’re using and how you’re using it, but some of the most common include:

Eye discomfort
Wateriness
Redness
Sore neck and shoulders

Blurry vision
Headaches
Light sensitivity
Poor concentration

Managing Your Eye Comfort

In some cases, you can alleviate your digital eye strain symptoms with some simple at-home strategies.

However, if you experience digital eye strain frequently, you may have another eye problem we need to address. Some digital eye symptoms are similar to having dry eyes or an uncorrected refractive error, but we can determine what may be causing yours when you come in for an eye exam.

Have Regular Eye Exams

Whether you or not you frequently experience digital eye strain, getting the care you need always starts with having regular eye exams.

Prior to your exam, be sure to measure the distance between your eyes and your primary computer monitor so that Dr. Doud can customize your prescription for your unique work environment

Updating your lens prescription could help alleviate some of your symptoms, but we may recommend other strategies depending on your needs.

Set Up Your Workstation Properly

You may not know it, but the way you sit at your desk can seriously affect your overall eye comfort.

To help keep your eyes comfortable while you work, make sure:

Your screen is about an arm’s length away and just below eye level.
Your feet rest flat on the floor.
Your screen brightness matches your room lighting.
You remove sources of glare from your screen.

Take Breaks!

If you work with digital devices for long periods of time, a great way to maintain your eye comfort is to take regular breaks.

One of the most common strategies we recommend is the 20-20-20 rule: Spend 20 seconds every 20 minutes looking at something about 20 feet away. Doing this will give your eyes a chance to blink and readjust before going back to work.

Use Eye Drops When Needed

If you’re struggling with your eye comfort, you could also use preservative-free over-the-counter eye drops to hydrate your eyes.

However, we always recommend speaking with our team before using these products. While many are safe to use, some might include ingredients unsuitable for your eyes. We can recommend a product based on your symptoms and eye health when you come in for an eye exam.

Your Eye Comfort Matters

Your eye comfort is an essential part of your quality of life.

If you’re struggling with digital eye strain and at-home remedies aren’t providing the relief you need, please get in touch with our team at Annapolis Vision Center today to book your appointment.

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