Red Eyes and Digital Eye Strain: Why It Happens and What to Do Next

Do you work on a computer all day or spend hours watching reels on your phone? If so, you probably notice that your eyes are red and tired.

Digital eye strain is a significant issue affecting people who utilize screens for long periods. It often leads to headaches, redness, dry eyes, and fatigue.

If you’re dealing with digital eye strain, red or dry eyes, the Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge team offers treatments to ease discomfort. Our four experienced ophthalmologists offer comprehensive eye exams and other specialized treatments for a range of eye conditions.

Causes of digital eye strain

Digital eye strain occurs when you focus on screens like computers and phones for long periods. Looking at screens for long windows of time can lead to reduced blinking, dryness, and eye muscle fatigue, which can cause vision problems.

The primary factors that lead to digital eye strain include the following:

Too much screen time

Using tablets, computers, or phones for more than two hours per day increases the risk of digital eye strain.

Reduced blinking

Focusing on a screen reduces the frequency of blinking, which contributes to dryness.

Eye muscles work harder

Your eyes are constantly refocusing when looking at pixels on screens. The result is the eye muscles working harder to focus, leading to prolonged strain.

Blue light exposure

Blue light is high-energy light that’s a common denominator in digital eye strain and fatigue.

Poor screen setup

Having your screen too close or too far, and improper lighting, can cause eye strain. Too much screen glare also causes eye fatigue.

Why are my eyes also red?

Red eyes are a key symptom of digital eye strain because of increased irritation. The leading cause of red eyes related to digital eye strain is not blinking enough.

Blinking helps lubricate your eyes, keeping them healthy, avoiding dryness and irritation.

Issues like blue light exposure, poor lighting, and screen glare make your eye muscles work harder, increasing strain and causing redness, dryness, and overall irritation.

Tips for managing digital eye strain

If you’re experiencing eye issues and spend hours a day on your screens, it’s essential to make a few changes to prevent further damage. We offer the following tips to avoid further strain on your eyes:

• Position the screen correctly
• Reduce glare and improve lighting
• Use blue light filters
• Adjust text size

The 20-20-20 rule is another key way to avoid digital eye strain. It means you should take a break from the screen every 20 minutes for at least 20 seconds while looking at something in the distance at least 20 feet away.

Do I need treatment?

You may require treatment if you attempt to change your environment, yet dry eye, redness, or irritation still occur. The key to managing digital eye strain is to keep your eyes moist and avoid overworking the ocular muscles.

We may suggest prescription or over-the-counter artificial tears to address redness and dryness. The goal is to keep your eyes as lubricated as possible and practice blinking more often to avoid strain.

Untreated vision problems also require treatment to prevent further damage. We provide eye exams to assess your vision, along with glasses, contact lenses, and LASIK surgery to address common refractive issues.

Schedule an appointment at our Brooklyn, New York, office for digital eye strain treatment. Contact Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge today, or book your general eye exam online today.