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What is The Connection Between Screen Time and Dry Eyes?

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Posted on by Dr. Cynthia Markarian Bahoshy
Person in blue sweater rubbing eye while sitting at a desk with a monitor, mouse, and glass of water.

Key Takeaways

  • Staring at screens can cut your blink rate by more than half, which leaves your eyes dry.
  • Incomplete blinks and deep focus keep tears from spreading across your eyes.
  • Burning, blurry vision, and tired eyes are common signs of screen-related dryness.
  • The 20-20-20 rule and simple daily habits can help reduce discomfort.
  • Brantford Eye Care offers dry eye treatment for kids, adults, and seniors.

How Screen Time Leads to Dry Eyes

You sit down to answer a few emails, and before you know it, three hours have passed. Your eyes feel scratchy, and the words on the screen start to blur. That feeling has a lot to do with how screens change the way your eyes work.

Screens change how often you blink, cause your tears to evaporate faster, and add up over long hours, all of which can leave your eyes feeling dry and irritated.

When you focus on a phone or monitor, your blinking slows down without you noticing. Tears sit on the surface of your eyes longer and dry out. The more hours you spend looking at a screen, the higher your chance of feeling that gritty, tired sensation by the end of the day.

Why You Blink Less at Screens

Fewer and Partial Blinks

Your blink rate can drop by more than 50 percent when you look at a screen. That means fewer chances for fresh tears to coat your eyes.

Many of the blinks you do manage are only partial. An incomplete blink skips the lower part of your eye, so that area stays dry and starts to sting.

Focus and Forgotten Habits

Deep focus is part of the problem. When you concentrate on a task, your body puts blinking on the back burner. This slowdown is a big reason behind computer vision syndrome.

Small habits add up too. Skipping your water bottle during a long work session leaves less moisture for your body to turn into tears.

Signs of Dry Eyes From Screens

Your eyes often send clear messages when they need a break. Watch for these signs during or after screen use.

  • A burning, stinging, or gritty feeling, like sand in your eyes.
  • Blurry or shifting vision that clears when you blink.
  • Tired, heavy eyes and general discomfort.

If these feelings show up day after day, it can be a sign your tears need extra support.

How to Fix Dry Eyes From Screens

Child sitting on a couch, looking intently at a tablet held in both hands, in a living room.

The 20-20-20 Rule

This routine gives your eyes regular breaks throughout the day. Try it during work or study sessions.

  1. Every 20 minutes, pause what you’re doing.
  2. Look at something about 20 feet away.
  3. Hold that gaze for 20 seconds before returning to your screen.

Simple Daily Habits

A few small changes can make screen time more comfortable. These habits help keep your eyes moist through the day.

  • Blink fully and often to spread tears across your eyes.
  • Keep your screen about an arm’s length away.
  • Run a humidifier and sip water to add moisture.

Stick with these steps, and you may notice less burning and clearer vision by the afternoon. For mornings that start with dryness, these overnight tips can help too.

Dry Eye Treatment in Brantford for Every Age

Screen Time and Kids

Children spend more time on tablets and phones than ever, and that screen use is linked to dry, tired eyes. Kids don’t always speak up when something feels off.

Kids eye exams in Brantford can catch early signs of dryness and screen strain before they affect schoolwork or play.

Care for the Whole Family

Dry eyes look different at every stage of life, so treatment should fit the person in front of you. Options range from lifestyle changes to therapies matched to your needs.

Eye exams in Brantford help find the root cause of your discomfort rather than treating only the symptom. From there, a personalized plan can support lasting comfort for you and your family.

Whether you need dry eye treatment, a routine eye exam, glasses, or contacts, Brantford Eye Care takes the time to understand your lifestyle and build care around it. Book an appointment today to give your eyes the relief they deserve.

Written by Dr. Cynthia Markarian Bahoshy

How many doctors does it take to change a lightbulb?”

One or two.

Clear, comfortable vision is such an integral and important part of our lives. I enjoy interacting with our patients, learning about them and their visual needs and I get great satisfaction when I can improve their quality of life by providing them with optimal eyesight at the same time as screening for and treating potentially sight-threatening conditions.

I have been an optometrist at Brantford Eye Care (previously known as Dr. Robert Schumacher and associates) since 2002. I became the new owner of Brantford Eye Care in October 2012.

I attended the University of Ottawa where I studied Biochemistry as part of my undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree. I completed my Doctor of optometry (OD) degree at the University of Waterloo in 2002.

My externship was completed at the Houston Eye Associates in Texas. During that time, I gained extensive experience in all aspects of ocular health diagnosis and management. This included exposure to various retinal conditions, glaucoma, cataracts, children’s vision, binocular vision, and other aspects of ocular disease.

I worked as a student researcher at the Centre of Contact Lens Research at the School of Optometry, University of Waterloo where I gained extensive experience in all aspects of contact lenses. I also worked as a student researcher at the Ottawa General hospital in the Department of Ophthalmology during my university years.

I am an active member of the Ontario Association of Optometrists, The Canadian Association of Optometrists, the Ontario College of Optometrists, and the Hamilton and District Area Society of Optometrists. I am certified in the Treatment and Management of Ocular Diseases.

My main interests are in dry eyes, contact lenses, and in children’s vision. I have experience working as an optometrist at a Toronto LASIK centre and I am able to answer any questions you may have regarding LASIK and other refractive surgeries. We are affiliated with the various LASIK centres and can refer you for a complimentary LASIK consultation as well as perform your pre and post-op examinations at our office.

I enjoy many activities such as swimming, yoga, playing the piano, and spending time with my family. I enjoy solving visual issues and challenges and meeting new people.

I’ve been very fortunate to have met so many wonderful patients and families at our office. I enjoy being a part of Brantford’s health care team and look forward to seeing you at the office!

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