Digital Eye Strain | Park Slope Eye Optical Boutique

Enjoy Comfortable Device Use

If you’ve ever had a headache or strained eyes after using your phone or computer, you aren’t alone—approximately 50% of digital device users do. Digital eye strain occurs when your eyes become irritated or strained after using digital devices for long periods. While digital eye strain is common, we can help reduce or prevent your symptoms from occurring.

Your digital devices don’t need to lower your quality of life—our team is here to help. Visit us in Brooklyn, and we can help manage digital eye strain.

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What Is Digital Eye Strain & What Causes It?

Digital eye strain typically occurs when using your devices like phones, computers, or tablets, but your eyes can become irritated and tired from any activity requiring extended focus. While reading or driving can lead to strained eyes, this condition is more common with digital devices because they make your eyes work harder.

Your eyes constantly focus and refocus when using your computer or phone, making them tire faster. Additionally, how patients use their devices can lead to eye strain. Someone may view their device too close to their face, not blink enough to hydrate their eyes or use devices with lots of glare or reflection.

When someone has digital eye strain, they may experience several symptoms, including:

Blurry vision
Dry eyes
Eye fatigue
Headaches
Sore neck & shoulders

How Can You Prevent Digital Eye Strain?

When your eyes become strained and irritated, the best thing you can do is rest them. However, we don’t want you to experience headaches and sore eyes. You can comfortably use your digital devices with some changes to your habits.

Digital device symptoms typically occur because of overuse, making it important to rest your eyes and remove any possible sources of discomfort. Our team can recommend many ways you can protect your eyes from unnecessary irritation. Make the following changes to your digital device habits and see how they help:

Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

The 20-20-20 rule is a great way to give your eyes a break during work or when you’re on your favorite devices. Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something at least 20 feet away.

Practice Good Posture

Proper posture and sitting can help reduce the sore shoulders and neck common with digital eye strain. Avoid hunching or leaning forward when using your digital devices. Instead, sit straight up with your head aligned with your body.

Reduce Glare & Other Disruptions

Glare can make it harder to see your screen, forcing your eyes to work harder to focus. You can avoid unnecessary glare by setting up your computer or device away from incoming sunlight or directly under overhead lighting. Consider keeping your monitor or screen clean to help remove dust and debris, which makes it harder to see.

Set Up Your Workstation Properly

You can prevent irritation by having a well-set-up workstation at work or home. Your screen should sit at least an arm’s length away, your chair should be comfortable and let your feet rest on the floor, and your screen should sit just below eye level.

Visit Us to Discuss Your Digital Device Habits

Digital eye strain can make your computer and phone time uncomfortable and irritating, but we can help prevent it. We can review your lifestyle and digital device usage to identify ways you can improve your screen time. With our help, you can enjoy comfortable vision.

Book an appointment, and we can help prevent digital eye strain symptoms.