Screen Time and Your Eyes: 3 Habits Worth Breaking Now

How much time do you spend looking at screens every day? At Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge, we see the daily impact of digital devices on our patients' vision. 

Serving the Bay Ridge and Sheepshead Bay neighborhoods of Brooklyn, NY, our experienced team, including Elias Aliprandis, MD, Irene Rusu, MD, Brian Herschorn, MD, and Felicia Donnolo, OD, is dedicated to keeping your eyes healthy and comfortable. With nearly 69% of people globally experiencing screen-related eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS), it's time to look closely at our digital routines. 

A study published by the Journal of Optometry/PMC highlights just how widespread this issue has become. Fortunately, making a few simple adjustments to your daily routine can significantly reduce discomfort and protect your vision.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Don’t forget to blink while looking at screens

Staring at digital screens dramatically reduces how often you blink, which leads directly to dry, irritated eyes. When you focus intensely on a monitor or phone, your spontaneous blink rate drops from a healthy baseline of 15 to 22 blinks per minute to just 5 to 7 blinks per minute, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 

Blinking is essential because it spreads a protective layer of moisture over your eyes. Without this constant lubrication, your tears evaporate too quickly, causing a burning sensation and redness. 

If you already wear contact lenses or suffer from chronic dry eye, this lack of blinking can make your symptoms feel much worse. To break this habit, try to make a conscious effort to blink fully and frequently while working.
 

2. Take regular vision breaks while working

Working on a computer for hours without taking breaks forces your eye muscles into a state of constant, exhausting tension. This continuous near-focus can cause headaches, blurred vision, and physical fatigue. 

To give your eyes a much-needed rest, we recommend practicing the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This brief pause allows your focusing muscles to fully relax and helps reset your tear film. 

Adjusting your workstation so your screen is slightly below eye level also helps by reducing the surface area of your eyes exposed to dry air.
 

3. Rely on professional care instead of blue-light blocking glasses

Relying on blue-light blocking glasses to cure your eye strain is a habit that may keep you from finding real relief. While marketing campaigns claim these glasses prevent fatigue, a comprehensive review by the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that blue-light filtering lenses provide no measurable improvement for screen-related eye strain. 

The discomfort you feel from screen time is caused by muscle fatigue and dry surface conditions, not the light itself. Instead of relying on over-the-counter optical trends, the best way to address persistent eye strain is to schedule a professional eye exam. 

Our doctors can check your prescription, evaluate your tear quality, and provide personalized solutions that actually work.

Breaking these three common screen habits can make a world of difference in how your eyes feel at the end of the day. If you're struggling with persistent eye strain, dry eyes, or blurry vision, we're here to help. 

Schedule a visit with our team at Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge today to keep your vision clear and comfortable.