How to avoid eyestrain even if you stare at a screen all day

February 25, 2021

Did you know that the average person spends eight hours per day in front of a digital screen?


Whether you are at work, school for reading and writing, or if you spend most of your day on your laptop or tablet, you risk developing the two most common eye-related conditions: computer vision syndrome (CVS) and dry eye syndrome (DES).

On average, people spend over eight hours per day staring at a device.

Computer vision syndrome is a growing concern for people who stare at a computer screen for long periods of time.


Brought on by the increased use of computers, smartphones and tablets, this condition can lead to blurred vision, eye strain and even neck pain.


Dry Eye Syndrome occurs when the normal layer of tears becomes unstable. This may cause symptoms like:


  • Filmy vision
  • Watery eyes
  • Itchy eyes
  • Dry eyes
  • Red eyes
  • Tired eyes
  • Light sensitivity


Here are three tips to prevent computer vision syndrome.


  • Put a blink reminder app on your laptop

Apps like blinkingmatters.com can help to remind you to blink more. They can even monitor your blinks as you work or study on your laptop. The app suggests breaks or eye exercises to keep your eyes feeling fresh.

  • Try using printed copies of books or journals

Did you know that you can read faster with printed matter than looking at a screen? Where possible, try to use printed copies of books, journals or resources. Your eyes are far less likely to feel tired or sore.

  • Stay hydrated

When you concentrated, it's easy to forget to stay hydrated. Keep a bottle of water next to your desk. This helps you to top up your fluid intake. But pausing for a bathroom break can also give your eyes a rest.


If you still get sore or tired eyes from starting at a screen, we recommend seeing Chris for an appointment. Tap here to book now.

You might also like

Wake up and See: What is Orthokeratology?

June 17, 2024
Wake up and See

Where to buy sports glasses

March 24, 2021
Do you love playing sports? For example: Swimming Cycling Basketball Football Skiing/snowboarding Sports glasses help you to protect your eyes and see well at your sport. Often sports glasses can be better than your normal glasses. Sports glasses tend to wrap around your face better than normal glasses. This helps to protect your eyes from dust, wind, debris, pollen or rain. Sports glasses usually block out UV better than normal glasses. If you love cycling, you can get photochromatic lenses. These lenses allow you to start riding when it's dark. When the glare kicks in, the lenses start to automatically darken. This saves you carrying another pair of sunglasses. Sports glasses protect you from impact to your face Ever been hit in the face by a ball? If you've ever been hit with normal glasses, you'll know that a knock can make you feel sore. Sports glasses are made out of impact resistant material. This means that they won't shatter and hurt you. Sports glasses often have extra rubber gaskets to protect your face and nose in an accident. Sports glasses help to prevent fogging When you're in the middle of a game, it's easy to sweat. Normal glasses fog up easily. Sports glasses can have special anti-fog lenses. If you love ball sports or skiing/snowboarding then anti-fog lenses are a must. You won't have to stop to wipe your glasses constantly. Chris MacMahon Optometrist can help you to find the right sports glasses for you. Whether you love swimming, cycling or ball sports or other activities, we can help. Book an appointment with Chris MacMahon today .

How to get prescription safety glasses

March 24, 2021
Have you just started a new job? Or need to get new prescription safety glasses? Depending on your work and environment, safety glasses may be something that you wear constantly. Getting the right prescription safety glasses is important. So what should you look for? Certification - Do you need all your gear to be certified? Make sure that your prescription safety glasses are certified too. Look for a card that comes with them to state that they are certified to meet Australian Standards. Lenses that go dark outside - Do you work outside all day? Suffer from glare? When you step outside, photochromatic lenses automatically start to become dark. Within minutes, you get relief from glare as the lenses become darker. When you step back inside, the lenses start to become light again. Lenses that you can read with - Need reading glasses to read fine print or small details? Prescription safety glasses are available in multifocal or progressive lenses. These are lenses that allow you to read. Then when you glance up in the distance, they allow your eyes to adjust quickly. Multifocal lenses mean that you don't have to keep changing glasses all the time. Lenses that reduce fogging - do you work in lots of different temperatures? Do your glasses often fog up? You can get special fog-resistant lenses for your prescription safety glasses. You won't have to keep stopping to wipe your safety glasses. Chris MacMahon Optometrist can help you to find the right safety glasses for you. When was your last eye test? Book an appointment with Chris today
More Posts

Book a Service Today