What Is Computer Vision Syndrome and How to Prevent It

Computer vision syndrome, also called digital eye strain, is the group of eye and vision problems that come from long periods of screen use. It's very common, usually temporary and mostly preventable.

Symptoms

• Tired, sore or burning eyes.
• Dry or watery eyes.
• Blurred vision, especially when looking up from the screen.
• Headaches.
• Neck and shoulder pain from posture.

Why screens cause it

• Constant close focus: the muscles that focus your eyes work without a break.
• Less blinking: people blink much less while concentrating on a screen, so eyes dry out. See why blinking drops on screens.
• Glare and brightness: reflections and screens much brighter than the room.
• Poor position: screens too close, too high or at an angle.
• Uncorrected vision: even a small prescription, or glasses meant for reading distance, makes screens harder.

How to prevent it

1. Take regular breaks. Look at something far away every 20 minutes or so. See the 20-20-20 rule.
2. Fix the screen position: an arm's length away, top at or below eye level.
3. Match brightness to the room and remove reflections. See fixing screen glare.
4. Make text bigger so you don't lean in or squint.
5. Blink fully, and use lubricating eye drops if your eyes feel dry. Avoid fans or vents blowing at your face.
6. Get your eyes checked, and mention how much screen time you have. Glasses set for screen distance can help.

What about blue light?

Blue light from screens isn't a proven cause of eye strain, and eye doctors' groups don't recommend blue light glasses for it. Evening screen light may affect sleep, though, so warmer colors at night can help. See what eye doctors say about blue light glasses.

Browser settings that help

• Raise Chrome's minimum font size or zoom pages.
• Modern Dark Mode reduces the glare of bright white pages in a dim room.
• Blue Light Filter warms page colors in the evening on a schedule.

When to see a doctor

See an optometrist or ophthalmologist if symptoms continue after these changes, or right away if you have sudden vision changes, eye pain, flashes of light or symptoms in one eye only. Children who use screens for school should have regular eye exams too.