Sound familiar? It’s 3pm. You’ve been staring at a screen all day, and your eyes feel dry, heavy, and tired — like they’ve run a marathon. Maybe you have a low-grade headache sitting just above your brows. Maybe the text on your screen is starting to blur, even though your glasses prescription hasn’t changed.
These are the hallmarks of
These are the hallmarks of digital eye strain — and if you’re spending more than two hours a day on screens (that’s most of us), your eyes are at risk.
The good news? It’s very manageable once you know what’s going on.
What Is Digital Eye Strain?
Also called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), digital eye strain is a group of eye and vision problems that result from prolonged screen use — whether that’s a smartphone, tablet, computer, or TV. It affects an estimated 50–90% of regular screen users, making it one of the most common eye complaints seen in optometry practices today.
Unlike most vision problems, it’s not about damaged eyesight. It’s about overworked eyes — and the way modern screens demand more from your visual system than a printed page ever did.
Signs Your Eyes Are Under Strain
If you experience any of the following regularly, digital eye strain may be the culprit:
- Dry, irritated, or burning eyes
- Blurred or double vision after screen time
- Headaches, especially around the eyes or forehead
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain from your screen setup
- Difficulty refocusing — especially between near and distance
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Feeling like your eyes are “tired” even if you’ve slept well
These symptoms usually ease after stepping away from screens — but over time, they can become more persistent and affect your quality of life and productivity.
Why Do Screens Cause This?
Several factors make screen use uniquely demanding on your eyes:
1. We blink less
Normally, we blink around 15–20 times per minute. On screens, that drops to as few as 5–7 blinks. Blinking replenishes the tear film that keeps eyes moist and comfortable — so less blinking means drier, more irritated eyes.
2. Pixel vs. print
Text and images on digital screens are formed by tiny points of light (pixels) rather than solid ink. Your focusing muscles work constantly to process this, which is far more fatiguing than reading from a high-contrast printed page.
3. Blue light exposure
Screens emit high-energy visible (HEV) blue light, which scatters more easily and forces your eyes to work harder to focus. Evening screen use also suppresses melatonin, disrupting sleep — which in turn makes eye fatigue the next day even worse.
4. Poor posture and screen positioning
Screens positioned too high, too low, too close, or with glare force your eyes — and your neck and back — into compensating positions that compound the strain.
What You Can Do Right Now
The 20-20-20 Rule is your best starting point: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your focusing muscles a genuine break.
Beyond that:
- Adjust your screen brightness to match your environment — not brighter, not dimmer
- Position your screen at arm’s length and slightly below eye level
- Increase text size rather than squinting
- Use a humidifier or lubricating eye drops if your environment is dry
- Enable night mode or warm-tone settings on devices in the evening
- Take regular breaks — not just eye breaks, but full desk breaks
When to See an Optometrist
Lifestyle changes help, but they don’t always solve the underlying picture. Sometimes digital eye strain is worsened by an uncorrected or under-corrected vision problem — a small prescription that’s fine for everyday life but isn’t coping with hours of close-up screen work.
A comprehensive eye exam can identify:
- Uncorrected refractive errors (short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism) that are making screen work harder
- Whether you might benefit from dedicated computer glasses or anti-reflective coatings
- Dry eye conditions that need targeted treatment
- Early signs of other conditions that screen fatigue can sometimes mask
At Viewpoint Optical in Hurstville, we see screen fatigue complaints every week across all age groups — from students and remote workers to retirees navigating iPads. It’s one of the most undertreated issues in eye health today, simply because people assume tired eyes are just a normal part of modern life. They don’t have to be.
Give Your Eyes the Attention They Deserve
If screen fatigue is affecting your day, don’t wait it out — book a comprehensive eye examination and let our team assess what’s really going on.
📍 Viewpoint Optical — Hurstville, serving the Georges River community
📞 Call us: 02 8021 2298
or book online to secure your appointment today. Your eyes work hard for you — it’s time to return the favour.