Symptoms of Too Much Screen Time on Your Eyes

In today’s digital world, it’s nearly impossible to escape screens. From work to entertainment, our eyes are constantly focused on computers, tablets, and smartphones. While these devices make life more convenient, they can also take a toll on your eye health. Excessive screen time can lead to a group of vision-related problems collectively known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), also referred to as Digital Eye Strain.
 

Common Symptoms of Too Much Screen Time

If you spend hours each day in front of a screen, you may start to notice:

• Eye Strain and Fatigue: Prolonged focus causes the muscles in your eyes to tire, leading to soreness and discomfort.

• Dry Eyes: When concentrating on a screen, we tend to blink less often, reducing tear production and causing dryness, burning, or irritation.

• Blurred or Double Vision: Difficulty focusing on digital text for long periods can make your vision appear fuzzy or unstable.

• Headaches: The effort to maintain focus, coupled with glare and poor lighting, can cause frequent headaches.

• Neck, Shoulder, or Back Pain: Poor posture while using screens can contribute to physical discomfort that compounds visual fatigue.
 

What Causes Computer Vision Syndrome?

CVS occurs when your eyes are forced to work harder than usual to maintain focus on digital displays. Factors such as glare from screens, poor contrast, incorrect viewing distances, and improper lighting all contribute to the problem. Additionally, spending extended time looking at devices without taking breaks prevents your eyes from resting and recovering naturally.
 

How to Protect Your Eyes from Digital Strain

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to reduce symptoms and protect your vision:

• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

• Adjust Screen Settings: Increase text size, reduce glare, and ensure your brightness matches your surroundings.

• Blink More Often: Make a conscious effort to blink regularly to keep your eyes lubricated.

• Maintain Proper Distance: Keep your screen about an arm’s length away and slightly below eye level.

• Schedule Regular Eye Exams: Our optometrist can detect early signs of strain and recommend computer glasses or lens coatings that reduce glare and blue light exposure.
 

Keep Your Eyes Comfortable in a Digital World

Too much screen time can have a serious impact on your eye comfort and long-term vision. Recognizing the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome early and taking steps to manage screen use can make a significant difference in maintaining healthy vision.

Protect your eyes from digital strain by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam at Texas State Optical New Braunfels today. Visit our office in New Braunfels, Texas, or call (830) 201-3237 to book an appointment.