Screens dominate our lives—work, entertainment, and even socializing happen through glowing pixels. But this constant exposure often leads to digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome, affecting over 50% of adults with symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision. The culprit? We blink less when staring at screens—down to about 5 times per minute from a normal 15—leaving eyes dry and irritated. Plus, blue light from devices can tire your eyes and disrupt sleep, compounding the problem.
Beyond the 20-20-20 Rule: A Toolkit for Eye Comfort
The 20-20-20 rule is a great start, but there’s more you can do. Position your screen an arm’s length away and slightly below eye level to reduce strain on your eye muscles. Adjust brightness and contrast to match your room’s lighting, and minimize glare with soft, ambient light instead of harsh overhead bulbs. Blue light-blocking glasses or screen filters can further ease fatigue, especially if you’re on devices late at night. Try this simple eye exercise too: close your eyes, gently massage your eyelids for 10 seconds, then blink rapidly to refresh moisture. With screen time here to stay, these habits can keep your eyes comfortable and healthy. Test them out this week and feel the difference.
Eyes feeling the screen burn? Ask your optometrist about custom solutions for digital strain.