If you’re reading this on your phone or computer screen, pause for a moment. How do your eyes feel? Tired? Dry? You’re not alone. As a doctor who helps people stay healthy at work, I’ve noticed a sharp rise in eye problems related to screen use.
Most of us now spend more time looking at screens than we do sleeping. From checking our phones first thing in the morning to watching TV at night, our eyes are working harder than ever before. The problem? Our eyes weren’t designed for so much screentime.
When we look at digital devices, we blink less often — about half as much as we normally would. This can lead to tired, dry eyes and headaches — what we now call digital eye strain. The good news is that protecting your eyes is simpler than you might think.
Let me share some easy tips that can help you avoid eye strain. The 20-20-20 rule This is the golden rule of eye care for screen users: Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away. Think of it as a mini-break for your eyes.
Look out a window or down a hallway — anything that gives your eyes a chance to relax. Setting up your screen Your computer screen should be about an arm’s length away. If you have to lean forward to read, either move the screen closer or make the text bigger.
The screen should be slightly below eye level — like reading a book on a table. Lighting matters Bad lighting can make eye strain worse. Avoid glare on your screen from windows or bright lights.
If you can’t mo.
