Digital Eye Strain, also known as Computer Vision Syndrome, is a hot topic these days based on the excessive use of technology we have become accustomed to. This strain develops when you have spent too much time in front of a screen with little to no substantial breaks, resulting in headaches, blurred vision, eye irritation, sleeping issues, and even retina damage. While it may seem difficult to prevent long-term screen time use, considering the amount of blue light exposure we are constantly surrounded by, taking simple precautions to alleviate even a few minutes with these gadgets can help your eye health immensely!

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1) Take Advantage of the 20/20/20 Rule

The 20/20/20 Rule is one that is becoming a staple in many people’s work life. The key to this rule is to give your eyes a break from screens every 20 minutes by looking at something that is 20ft away for 20 seconds. It’s as easy as that, and will allow your eyes to feel less agitated when staring at your device.

2) Adjust Your Screen Settings

Taking the proper precautions to restrict excessive blue light from your devices is a smart habit to get in to. Many device manufacturers are realizing the harm that digital eye strain can put not only on our daytime activities, but our sleep schedule as well. In order to tackle this, many devices are beginning to offer nighttime modes to help give yourself a break near the end of your day. The light of your screen will go down with the sunset, allowing for less artificial light exposure to give your eyes a break and get yourself ready for a good night’s sleep.

To go an extra step further, try to keep the brightness of your digital screen to the lowest that still feels comfortable to look at. If you are utilizing your screen as a secondary light source, that could be a sign that you should reconsider the brightness setting you are using. As a rule of thumb, only go to the highest setting if you truly cannot see the screen without it.

3) Consider Digital Lenses for Your Glasses

Much like how digital device manufacturers have began to realize the harm of digital eye strain, eyeglass lens manufacturers have done the same. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to have someone request for glasses that are specifically made for computer use, just as there are glasses made solely for reading or driving purposes. Lenses like Essilor’s Eyezen have the appropriate technology incorporated into it to correct your distance vision, and to alleviate the digital eye strain burden when working with screens for long periods of time.


In any case, researching how to prevent digital eye strain, and making the appropriate adjustments to ensure your eyes are happy will not only help your eyes, but your overall health as well. For more information, come see us for an eye exam and we’ll help find the best solution for you!

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