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Screen Time and Sore Eyes: How to Reduce Digital Eye Strain

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Screens are part of nearly everything we do. Whether you are working remotely, checking emails, watching videos, or scrolling late at night, long hours of screen time can leave your eyes feeling tired and unfocused. If you find yourself rubbing your eyes or struggling to concentrate after a few hours on a device, you are not alone. Digital eye strain has become one of the most common complaints among adults and teens in Coral Springs.

What Causes Digital Eye Strain?

When you focus on a screen for extended periods, your eyes work harder than usual. Several factors contribute to the discomfort:

  • Reduced blinking while using screens
  • Glare or reflections
  • Poor lighting
  • Sitting too close to the screen
  • Blue light from digital devices

Over time, this can cause headaches, blurry vision, dryness, or difficulty focusing between distances.

Simple Habits That Make a Big Difference

The good news is that digital eye strain is manageable with a few easy adjustments.

Follow the 20 20 20 rule. Every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a quick reset.

Adjust your screen height. Make sure the top of your screen sits slightly below eye level. This relaxed posture can ease neck, shoulder, and eye strain.

Reduce glare. Position screens away from bright windows or overhead lighting. Anti reflective coatings on glasses also help keep visual distractions low.

Increase your blink rate. Reminding yourself to blink helps keep your eyes naturally lubricated.

Use proper lighting. Dim room lighting paired with bright screens can cause the eyes to work harder. Aim for balanced lighting to minimize strain.

How Blue Light Filters Help

While blue light from screens does not damage the eyes, it can contribute to visual fatigue and sleep disruption. Blue light filtering lenses can reduce this discomfort, especially for people who spend several hours a day on computers or tablets.

If you already wear glasses, adding a blue light filter can be a simple upgrade that improves comfort. If you do not normally wear glasses, nonprescription blue light lenses are an option as well.

When to See an Eye Doctor

If your symptoms persist, or if you notice headaches, long lasting dryness, or frequent blurry vision, an eye exam can help identify the root cause. Sometimes an outdated prescription or unnoticed focusing problem makes digital eye strain feel much worse.

Eyesite Vision Center offers comprehensive exams for adults and children who experience screen related discomfort. Our Coral Springs optometric team can recommend personalized solutions, including prescription updates, moisture rich contact lenses, or targeted treatment for dry eye.

Give Your Eyes a Break with Professional Care

Screens are here to stay, but discomfort does not have to be. With better habits and the right vision care, you can stay productive and comfortable throughout the day.

To learn more about digital eye strain or to schedule an appointment, contactEyesite Vision Center in Coral Springs today.