With the ever-increasing penetration of visual devices like computers and smartphones in our professional and personal life many of us might have experienced redness, irritation, aching eyes and blurry vision at some point fo our life. This could be due to a common eye condition known as dry eye syndrome.
There could be many reasons for such painful eye conditions, but the common cause that is increasing in recent times is prolonged exposure to a computer or smartphone screen. If your doctor has told you that your issue in your eyes is due to over-exposure to the light emitting from this device, this article is for you. Here we will discuss tips that can prevent the recurrence of dry eye syndrome or it will significantly reduce the chance of developing it in the first place.
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Why long exposure to computer screen causes dry eye syndrome
Dry eye syndrome which is also termed dry eye disease is a condition in which the thin film of tear present over the eye surface (ocular surface) dries up resulting in a burning, itching or aching sensation in the eye.
For the human eye to function properly, the ocular surface over the cornea should be well lubricated with the tear film. The normal thickness of the tear film is around 2 to 5 µm.
There could be many factors for the eye to get dry, in some diseases, there could be no production of tears altogether. Diabetics often suffer from dry eye syndrome because the there eye produces poor quality tear.
However, in the recent decade, there has been an increase in the number of dry eye disease cases related to long exposure to visual devices like computers, smartphones and tablets and is very common among university students2.
Actually, when a person is glued to a computer screen, he or she constantly stares at the screen without blinking an eye. Blinking the eye is essential for lubricating the eye surface. Decreased blinking coupled with an increase in evaporation of tears from the eyes causes the eye surface to dry out. This can cause the eyes to become dry, red, and irritated.
Furthermore, the modern visual display device predominantly uses LED (Light Emitting Diode). LED screens are known to emit blue light which is harmful to our eyes, even a recent study suggests that blue light can age you early. Blue light has been shown to increase oxidative stress on the ocular surface, which can lead to inflammation and damage to the tear film1.
How do you treat dry eyes due to screen time?
In the era of information technology, it is impossible to think of life without computers and phones. However, by taking a few precautions and steps we can minimise the occurrence of such eye diseases. Here we are going to learn a few tips that will surely help you with your dry and sore eyes.
These tips are aimed to give rest to your eyes from continuous tasks, improving the performance by small modifications in your desktop. Finally, we will also discuss eye exercises to reduce strain and give a soothing relaxation to the eyes. So, let us start with 20-20-20 rule.
1: Follow the 20-20-20 rule for computer vision syndrome
The 20-20-20 rule is a very simple technique that will help you reduce eye strain and prevent digital eye fatigue. According to the rule when working on a computer or smartphone take a break every 20 minutes, and take your eyes off the screen, focus on any object a distance of roughly 20 feet for at least 20 seconds.
This will help ease your eyes and reduce eye strain which is very important to reduce eye fatigue. This is because when we look at a computer or digital device, our eyes are constantly focusing and refocusing on the different characters on the screen resulting in eye fatigue, dryness, and discomfort.
Taking regular breaks and focusing on something in the distance allows eyes to get a chance to relax, blink more frequently, and produce natural tears that keep them lubricated.
2: Adjust your screen settings
You must also consider factors of the computer screen. There are a few recommended settings that will greatly ease the stress on your eyes. Many devices allow you to control the brightness, contrast, and colour temperature. It’s recommended to dim the screen brightness a little below eye level and increase the contrast to reduce eye strain. It is also recommended to increase the size of the font.
The position of the screen also matters, you must follow desktop ergonomics. Place the screen at a comfortable distance from your eyes (about an arm’s length away) and slightly below eye level.
You can also use an anti-glare screen or position your device away from any direct light sources to minimize glare and reflections that cause eye discomfort. By tweaking these settings, you can make prolonged screen use less harmful to your eyes.
3: Blink frequently to prevent dry eye syndrome
Working on computer screens, tablets or smartphones has been linked with abnormally lower blinking rates. Normal blinking is very important for a healthy eye and prevents chances of developing dry eye syndrome or dry eye diseases. To learn how crucial it is to blink, try not to blink for 30 sec or a minute, your eyes will get sore and start itching with unbearable irritation.
Actually blinking helps spread natural tears over the surface of the eyes, keeping them moist and comfortable. When we blink the upper eyelid moves over the eye surface like a wiper on the car windscreen, helping spread the tear.
When we stare at a computer or mobile screen, we tend to blink less than normal, which can cause our eyes to dry out. The normal blinking rate is 12 times a minute. In one interesting Japanese study, 104 healthy office workers were recruited to study the blink rate1. Their blink rate was recorded during working on a computer screen, while reading a book at table level, and while relaxed.
The result was indeed concerning as blinking frequency was significantly decreased to 7 blinks per minute when working on the computer screen as compared to reading (10 blinks per minute) and relaxed conditions (22 blinks per minute).
So, one of the simplest and most effective tips for reducing the risk of dry eye syndrome is to blink frequently. Try to consciously blink more often, especially when using screens for long periods of time. Consider setting reminders or taking breaks to rest your eyes and blink regularly throughout your day.
4: Practice eye exercises to prevent dry eye diseases and strain
Just like we do exercises for back and neck pain, there are exercises for eye strain as well. There are muscles present around the eyeball that are responsible for the movement of the eyes. These eye exercises are aimed to strengthen these muscles. These are very simple exercises, like focusing on the object, focus shifting, and moving eyes clockwise and anticlockwise.
Here is the video with all the important eye exercises that you can watch and learn or simply visit the link to our article “7 Easy Exercises For Eye Muscles To Improve Vision, Relieve Strain” which describes the exercises in a step-by-step manner in easy to follow way.
How your doctor will help you
If you visit your opthalmologist, they will prescribe you eye drops. These drops are actually artificial tears, also known as lubricating eye drops or tears substitutes, which can help reduce the discomfort and dryness of your eyes. They work by adding moisture to your eyes and reducing irritation.
However, it’s always a good idea to consult an eye doctor before using any eye drops, especially if you have chronic eye problems or allergies. Use artificial tears as needed throughout the day for optimal relief from dry eye syndrome.
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Dr Sunit Sanjay Ekka is a physiotherapist in practice for the last 15 years. He has done his BPT from one of the premium Central Government physiotherapy colleges, ie, SVNIRTAR. The patient is his best teacher and whatever he gets to learn he loves to share it on his Youtube channel and blog.
