How Screen Time Contributes to Dry Eye

If your eyes feel dry, irritated, tired, or blurry after a long day on a computer, phone, or tablet, you’re not alone. Increased screen time has become a major contributor to dry eye symptoms for people of all ages. Understanding what dry eye is, how screen use affects your eyes, and what you can do about it can help protect your long-term eye comfort and vision.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears you make don’t have the right balance of oil, water, and mucus to keep your eyes properly lubricated. Healthy tears are essential for comfort, clear vision, and protecting the surface of the eye.

When tear quality or quantity is reduced, symptoms may include:

• Burning or stinging

• Grittiness or a sandy sensation

• Redness

• Blurry or fluctuating vision

• Eye fatigue

• Excessive tearing

Dry eye can be temporary or chronic, and lifestyle habits play a significant role.

How Prolonged Screen Time Contributes to Dry Eye

When using digital devices, people blink up to 50% less than normal. Blinking spreads tears evenly across the eye’s surface and helps prevent evaporation. Infrequent blinking causes tears to dry out faster, leading to irritation and discomfort.

Screen use also increases incomplete blinking, where the eyelids don’t fully close. This prevents proper tear distribution and can worsen dryness, particularly along the lower part of the eye.

Staring at screens for long periods exposes your eyes for extended stretches without rest. Combined with dry indoor air, fans, or air conditioning, this can cause tears to evaporate more quickly.

What You Can Do to Reduce Screen-Related Dry Eye

• Practice the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a break and encourages blinking.

• Blink More Often: Make a conscious effort to blink fully, especially when reading or working on screens. Setting reminders can help until it becomes a habit.

• Optimize Your Workspace: Position screens slightly below eye level to reduce eye surface exposure. Reduce glare by adjusting lighting and screen brightness. Use a humidifier if indoor air is dry.

• Limit Continuous Screen Time: Whenever possible, take regular breaks from screens throughout the day - especially outside of work hours.

When Should You See Your Eye Doctor?

If dry eye symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes, it’s important to schedule an eye exam. Chronic dry eye can affect your vision, eye health, and quality of life if left untreated.

You should see your eye doctor if you experience:

• Ongoing dryness, burning, or irritation

• Blurry vision that improves with blinking

• Eye discomfort that interferes with work or daily activities

• Symptoms that worsen with screen use

Our eye doctor can determine the underlying cause of your dry eye and recommend personalized treatment options, which may include prescription eye drops, or targeted treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction.

Schedule an Eye Exam at Clarifeye Total Eye Care

While digital devices are an unavoidable part of modern life, prolonged screen time can significantly contribute to dry eye symptoms. By understanding how screens affect your eyes and taking proactive steps to reduce strain and dryness, you can improve both comfort and visual clarity. When symptoms don’t improve on their own, professional care is key to long-term relief.

If screen-related dry eye is affecting your comfort or vision, schedule Clarifeye Total Eye Care to learn more about treatment options. Contact our office in Shenandoah, Texas, by calling (936) 267-0190 today.