Screens are an irreplaceable part of our everyday lives. Most people use them for work—they’re everywhere, from cars to billboards. If you’ve ever spent too long at a screen, you’ve likely noticed a dull, sore pain in your eyes called digital eye strain. But what about dryness?
While screen time can contribute to dry eyes and irritation, it isn’t the sole cause. When you use screens, you tend to blink less. This means your tear film isn’t always replenished, and your eyes dry out and become irritated. It’s a common problem, but it’s also highly preventable.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is an extremely common eye condition caused by an imbalanced tear film. Either your eyes don’t produce the right amount of tears, or the tears being produced can’t fully protect the eye.
This imbalance can develop subtly, but it eventually leads to constant burning and stinging sensations. These can be chronic or temporary but often cause significant discomfort. Symptoms tend to get worse in dry or harsh environments, as the eyes aren’t fully protected by tears.
It’s not just temporary irritation, though. The longer your eyes are unprotected, the higher the risk of long-term vision problems. If you notice dry eyes, you should visit your optometrist to discuss treatment options.
Dry Eye: Signs & Symptoms
Dry eye can show up in several ways, but the most obvious sign is a persistent stinging sensation. For some people, this is mildly inconvenient, while others find symptoms interfere with almost every part of their everyday life.
Some of the most common signs include:
- Irritation
- Redness
- Burning sensations
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
These can change throughout the day. They might be milder in the morning but become more irritating after exposure to certain conditions. No matter what, they’re extremely frustrating. So why does dry eye develop?
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Your eyes are an extremely sensitive part of the body. Typically, dry eye isn’t caused by a single factor—it’s often due to a combination of internal and external factors. Some common causes of dry eye include:
- Environmental conditions like wind, smoke, or air conditioning
- Wearing contact lenses for long periods
- Using certain medications, including antihistamines or antidepressants
- Health conditions such as autoimmune disorders or diabetes
Your optometrist can help find out what’s causing your symptoms. A comprehensive understanding of your eyes and specific lifestyle is key to helping you find relief. However, it’s important to consider all contributing elements—not just one.
Can Screens Cause Dry Eyes?
If you ever spend too long at your screens, you might notice a constant dryness. However, this is usually temporary and tends to go away once you take a break. So what causes this?
The average person blinks between 15-20 times per minute. This helps you replenish your tear film every few seconds. With consistent blinking, you’re keeping your eyes consistently protected against the air.
When using screens, our blink rates tend to drop significantly. This happens any time we focus intensely. On average, people blink around 4 times a minute when using screens. Without enough blinks, your tears struggle to protect the eyes—this leads to that persistent dry feeling.
If you already deal with dry eyes, this becomes much more problematic. You blink less, and your eyes are already inflamed. They’re even less protected than before, so symptoms tend to worsen.
Does Blue Light Cause Dry Eyes?
When you’re using screens, you’re exposed to a certain wavelength called blue light. For most of our history, we’ve only been exposed to blue light from the sun. We’ve evolved to associate blue light with daytime—when blue light reaches our eyes, we want to stay awake.
To do this, our bodies suppress melatonin—the chemical that helps us fall asleep—when blue light reaches our eyes. If you tend to stay up later at night using digital devices, the blue light could be affecting your circadian rhythm and sleep patterns.
Constant blue light exposure doesn’t directly cause dry eyes. Instead, it tends to affect our sleep schedules. A lack of sleep means your body spends less time repairing itself, which can make symptoms like dry eyes worse. Fortunately, with a pair of blue light glasses and some lifestyle adjustments, you can minimize these effects.
Tips for Making Screens More Comfortable
Using screens is often unavoidable. However, there’s good news—you can make some practical changes to make them much more comfortable for your eyes.
It helps to:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule (look away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away).
- Adjust screen height so you’re neither looking up nor excessively down at the screen.
- Use lubricating eye drops to add moisture throughout the day.
- Set up appropriate lighting to reduce glare or screen reflections.
- Add a humidifier in your workspace to keep the environment from becoming too dry.
- Take regular breaks to rest your eyes and prevent strain.
- Follow a proper diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids to promote healthy tears.
These changes help make your environment significantly more comfortable. They can make a big difference in your vision and overall eye comfort!
Find Relief From Your Dry Eyes
Living with dry eyes doesn’t have to be an everyday problem. Small changes can make a big impact, and you deserve relief—and our team at See & Be Seen Eyecare is ready to help. Contact our team for a personalized treatment approach, or book an appointment today! We’re ready to help you find the relief you deserve.
