Digital Eye Strain | St. Thomas, ON

Relieve Eye Discomfort During Screen Time

In our busy day-to-day lives, our eyes are working harder than ever. Staring at screens for hours can cause digital eye strain, leading to headaches, shoulder tension, blurry vision, dry eyes, and difficulty focusing. Whether you’re working, studying, or unwinding on your phone, screen time takes a toll on your eyes.

Fortunately, minor adjustments and proper eye care can make a big difference. During a comprehensive eye exam, we’ll assess if your prescription, glasses, contacts, and workspace are working for you.

We’re here to help you see comfortably—at work, at home, and beyond. Schedule an eye exam with First Optometry today!

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Follow the 20/20/20 Rule

A simple way to help prevent digital eye strain is the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for a minimum of 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a break from constant close-up focus and helps reduce fatigue.

Pairing this habit with good lighting, screen adjustments, and the right eyewear can make screen time more comfortable.

Digital Eye Strain & Its Symptoms

Digital eye strain happens when prolonged screen use causes discomfort and vision problems. We tend to blink less while staring at screens, which can cause:

Dry, irritated, and tired eyes
Difficulty focusing
Neck and shoulder pain
Increased sensitivity to light

Uncorrected vision problems make it harder for your eyes to focus. If your glasses or contacts aren’t optimized for near work, your eyes may be working harder than they should.

Poor workspace ergonomics–like incorrect screen height or lighting–can also cause eye fatigue. Addressing these factors helps reduce strain and improve visual comfort.

Over 40? Presbyopia May Be a Factor

If you’re over 40, digital eye strain may be worsened by presbyopia (the inability to focus on up-close objects). It’s a natural decline in vision caused by changes in the lens of your eye, but without the right prescription, your eyes work harder to focus on close-up tasks.

If you find yourself holding screens farther away or experiencing headaches after reading, you may need glasses or contact lenses designed for presbyopia. A personalized prescription can help ease the fatigue and discomfort caused by digital eye strain.

How Can an Eye Doctor Help?

An eye exam is the first step in reducing digital eye strain. Our team will assess your vision, check your prescription, and recommend options suited for screen use.

Different lenses, lens coatings, and specialty contacts can all improve comfort. We’ll also discuss simple lifestyle changes to ease eye strain, like:

Remembering to blink regularly
Adjusting your computer’s monitor distance to be 20–28 inches away from you
Placing your screen about 4–5 inches below eye level
Improving the lighting in your workspace
Adjusting the lighting to avoid glare on your screen

Find Relief from Digital Eye Strain

Digital eye strain can wreak havoc on your productivity and even your sleep schedule. Our team at First Optometry can help with tips and strategies for maintaining your comfort throughout the day.

Your eyes shouldn’t feel exhausted by the end of the day. Book an eye exam with our team in St. Thomas to explore solutions for digital eye strain.

Request Appointment