Dry Eye Symptoms and Prevention Tips in the Digital Age

If you don’t produce enough tears, your eyes may become susceptible to irritation, redness and blurred vision, commonly known as dry eye syndrome. In the modern world, our increased use of digital devices can dramatically reduce how frequently we blink, disrupting the production of the natural film of tears meant to protect our eyes.¹

As we spend more time on computers, tablets and smartphones, it’s important to understand the impact of screen time on eye health and the benefits of preventing issues like dry eye.

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome? 

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition in which the eyes don’t produce enough tears, the tears evaporate too quickly or the tears are of poor quality.²

Symptoms

Common symptoms of dry eye include:³

• A gritty or sandy feeling
• Burning or stinging sensation
• Eye fatigue
• Light sensitivity
• Redness
• Temporary blurred vision
• Watery eyes

Dry eye symptoms can cause persistent discomfort and affect your vision, making it difficult to do everyday activities.³ These may include reading, driving, watching TV or using your phone.

How Digital Devices Contribute to Dry Eye

Prolonged time spent staring at screens can significantly affect eye health, mainly because people tend to blink less frequently when using a computer, smartphone or tablet. Blinking is essential for spreading tears across the surface of our eyes, keeping them moist and comfortable.³

Additionally, most digital devices emit high-energy blue light, which can impede the balance of tear production and lead to irritation, red eyes and blurred vision. Screen glare can exacerbate symptoms of dry eye, causing eye fatigue and strain.⁴

Other factors — such as dry or windy environments, air conditioning or exposure to smoke or dust — can contribute to dry eye symptoms while using digital devices.⁵

People Who May Be More Prone to Dry Eye Syndrome 

Dry eye affects millions of people, and some groups may be more vulnerable to developing dry eye, including:⁵

• Contact lens wearers. Contact lenses can disrupt the natural tear film and reduce moisture on the eye’s surface.
• People with certain health conditions. These include diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid issues. And people taking medications like antihistamines, decongestants or antidepressants may also struggle with dry eye symptoms.
• Older adults. Tear production naturally decreases with age.
• Women experiencing hormonal changes. Tear balance can be impacted by pregnancy or menopause.

Tips to Prevent and Manage Dry Eye in the Digital Era

Certain daily habits can relieve symptoms of dry eye and help protect your eyes while using digital devices:

Adjust your screen settings

Modify the brightness of your screen to match your surrounding lighting. A too-bright or dim screen can stress your eyes. Likewise, adapt the font size as needed to avoid squinting and further eye strain.⁴

Consider protective eyewear

If you spend long hours on screens, enable the blue-light blocking features on your devices, or wear blue-light filtering glasses to manage eye strain and fatigue, particularly at night.⁴

Follow the 20-20-20 rule

For every 20 minutes of digital screen use, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away to relax your eye muscles and encourage blinking.³

Maintain proper distance and posture

Reduce eye strain and glare by positioning your monitor an arm’s length away and slightly lower than eye level. Use a chair that allows you to keep both feet flat on the floor so you can sit comfortably in a relaxed yet upright position.¹

Stay hydrated

Drink enough water throughout the day to stay thoroughly hydrated, which will aid the body with tear production.⁴

Use artificial tears

Soothe irritated eyes with over-the-counter lubricating drops to support the natural tear film that keeps eyes moist.³

When to See an Eye Doctor About Dry Eye 

Mild dry eye often improves with over-the-counter remedies and home care, but if your symptoms persist or interfere with daily life, it’s time to see your eye care professional.³ Your eye doctor can screen for underlying causes of dry eye and may prescribe other therapies, such as:⁶

• Prescription eye drops to help increase tear production or reduce inflammation
• Punctal plugs, which are small, removable devices inserted into the tear ducts to prevent natural tears from draining away
• Scleral contact lenses placed on the surface of the eyeballs to trap in moisture
• Warm compresses to help keep the surface of the eye moist and prevent tears from evaporating

Regular eye exams are essential for maintaining overall eye health, especially if you spend a significant amount of time in front of screens. Early detection of potential issues allows your eye doctor to recommend an appropriate course of treatment with a greater chance of success at preventing long-term problems.⁴

Keep Your Eyes Comfortable

While dry eye has become a common side effect of living in a digital world, understanding its symptoms and treatment options can make it easier to manage. Be mindful of your digital habits and take steps to protect your eyes from dryness and strain by taking regular breaks, using appropriate screen settings, controlling environmental factors and seeing your eye doctor regularly to keep your eyes healthy.

Financing Eye Exams With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular eye exams are an important part of your eye health. Whether you’re getting an eye exam or paying for eye surgery, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for care where your insurance leaves off.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.