Vision Therapy in Mesa

The Connection Between Screen Time and Dry Eye

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Alleviating Digital Eye Strain for Comfortable Vision

Do your eyes feel dry, irritated, or fatigued after a lengthy day spent scrolling through social media, tackling a barrage of emails, or streaming your favorite content? If so, you might be wondering whether screen time could be the culprit behind these discomforts.

Indeed, while digital devices have brought convenience, they've also introduced a new challenge for eye health: digital eye strain, which is often accompanied by dry eye symptoms.

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Understanding Digital Eye Strain and Its Link to Dry Eyes

woman using mobile phone

Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, is a condition that arises when you spend extended periods gazing at screens. Its symptoms include dry eyes, fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches.

Several factors contribute to dry eyes during prolonged screen use:

  • Reduced Blink Rate

    While focusing on screens, people tend to blink less frequently. This reduced blink rate can lead to reduced tear production and increased tear evaporation, resulting in dry eyes.

  • Blue Light Exposure

    Digital screens emit blue light, disrupting the circadian rhythm. Disrupted sleep, in turn, can contribute to dry eye symptoms.

  • Poor Posture

    Incorrect screen placement or poor posture can cause you to open your eyes wider, increasing exposure to air and tear evaporation.

  • Reduced Blink Quality

    Frequent screen time can lead to incomplete blinks, where the upper and lower eyelids do not meet fully, causing inadequate tear film spreading and reduced oil secretion from meibomian glands.


The Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Children's Eyes

Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, is a condition that arises when you spend extended periods gazing at screens. Its symptoms include dry eyes, fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches.

Several factors contribute to dry eyes during prolonged screen use:

  • Eye Fatigue and Discomfort

    Excessive screen time can lead to eye fatigue, causing discomfort, reduced vision clarity, and headaches. Children may also lose interest in activities like reading due to eye strain .

  • Dry and Irritated Eyes

    Long screen sessions can result in dry and irritated eyes, as prolonged screen focus reduces blinking frequency. Maintaining a stable tear film on the eye's surface is crucial for clear vision, especially for children adapting to screens designed for adults.

  • Reduced Focus Flexibility

    Children who spend extended periods focusing on screens may struggle to adjust to distance vision afterward. Although this is usually a short-term issue, it highlights the importance of balanced screen time and outdoor activities.

  • Risk of Developing Myopia

    Excessive indoor screen time deprives children of essential natural daylight exposure, impacting their eye development. Studies suggest a link between increased indoor time and a higher risk of nearsightedness (myopia) in children. Balancing screen use with outdoor play is crucial for healthy eyes.

woman viewing tablet in bed


Treating Dry Eyes Caused by Screen Time

Dry eyes induced by excessive screen use may range from mild to severe, with severe cases potentially leading to permanent eye surface damage. Therefore, it's essential to take steps to alleviate these symptoms.

If you're someone who spends a considerable amount of time in front of screens, you can adopt several strategies to reduce the risk of digital eye strain and dry eyes:

  • Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes of screen time, take a 20-second break to focus on something at least 20 feet away.
  • Adjust Screen Settings: Modify the font size, brightness, and blue light emission to create a more comfortable viewing experience.
  • Proper Lighting: Ensure your screen is not overly bright, and your surroundings are well-lit.
  • Blink More: Always remember to blink regularly to keep your eyes moist.
  • Stay Hydrated: Maintaining adequate hydration can help support tear production.

Use Artificial Tears: Lubricating eye drops can relieve dry eyes while using screens.

Patient Reviews
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338 Reviews
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- Dec. 04, 2024
I had a great experience with Sharper Vision Eyewear. They provided me with good care and handled m... y extra requests with ease. I will return here.
- Nov. 22, 2024
Staff was very helpful and courteous.
- Nov. 11, 2024
Great visit, Timothy Davis O.D. was great. Gave me great information, answered questions (I had a l... ot), double checked my prescription. Very Personable. Frame selections and questions answered. Only wish they still had the option for glass lenses. They are my favorite. And like we all know Insurance seems to cover less and less options. Overall a 5
- Nov. 01, 2024
Best we’ve been to in years. Personable, thorough and professional. Your eye care is the utmost ... importance without trying to sell you supplements and various items. Other fantastic bonuses is the waiting area is not crowded and plenty of parking available.
- Oct. 16, 2024
Excellent service and very clean facilities
- Sep. 20, 2024
Dr. Davis was fantastic!
- Sep. 17, 2024
Exactly the experience that I had hoped for. The staff and Dr Allie Moody informed me throughout abo... ut my concerns and my options. The front desk staff made me feel comfortable and cared for as well. I will recommend them gladly
- Aug. 31, 2024
Very kind, knowledgeable and professional.
- Jul. 13, 2024
This office is so nice and friendly. They are thorough and very helpful. I love it.
- Jun. 21, 2024
I recently visited Dr. Moody and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. From the moment I w... alked in, the staff was welcoming and Kendra was the best and professional. Dr. Moody is incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to explain everything in detail during my eye exam. What stood out the most was her personalized approach. She genuinely cared about my comfort and vision needs, and it was clear she wanted the best outcome for me. It’s really a five star ⭐️
- Apr. 29, 2024
They are amazing and it's clear they really care! 10 out of 10, absolutely recommend!
- Apr. 08, 2024
Nicest team of people, super professional and helpful.
- Mar. 18, 2024
Dr Moody took the time to explain everything. Ciara was extremely helpful with choosing a pair of g... lasses. Start to finish amazing experience.
- Mar. 01, 2024
Great customer service.
- Feb. 23, 2024
Great friendly service and affordable prices
- Feb. 22, 2024
Very nice appointment from start to finish!
- Feb. 04, 2024
I wear glasses full time and have been going to Dr. Geiske for many years. She is top notch and the... staff is very efficient. Also, the frame selection is always up to date . They aim to please.
- Jan. 18, 2024
Dr Moody was thorough in her explanations and performed her assessment without delay. The front offi... ce staff were friendly yet professional.
- Jan. 13, 2024
Excellent experience.
- Jan. 12, 2024
The kind of vision care I wish I'd always had. My optometrist discovered a couple of eye problems E... ARLY. That means I get to take some actions to slow the progression and keep better vision longer. That's invaluable. A Sharper Vision optician was the first, ever, to measure pupil distance for glasses with enough precision to see that one eye is 1/2 millimeter farther from center than the other. Because of that, my progressive lenses are aligned better with my eyes and a larger area of what I'm looking at is in focus. I had been wearing glasses for 25 years already, living with the frustration of misaligned lenses. That was about 10 years ago. The opticians keep surprising me with their knowledge about glasses, fitting, and eyewear care. When they tell you to come back if you have any problems with new eyewear, they mean it. I couldn't get used to my new glasses recently so I went back. First an optician thoroughly checked the lenses. They had been made accurately to the prescription. Second, I was given an appointment with my optometrist to review exam results. She slightly tweaked the prescription, and my lenses are being changed to the new prescription. That's awesome client service.

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Dry Eyes in Mesa

Our optometry practice in Mesa

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Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
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Consult Sharper Vision Eyecare for Digital Eye Strain Relief

Although lifestyle changes can be helpful, more effective dry eye management strategies may be necessary in some cases. Sharper Vision Eyecare provides a range of treatments to restore your family's eyesight.

If you or a loved one suffers from ongoing dry eye symptoms due to prolonged screen use, our experienced eye care professionals can provide relief. Make an appointment with Sharper Vision Eyecare to discuss dry eye management options. Let's work together to protect their eyesight and ensure a bright future.

(480) 218-0663