Screen fatigue is real: a simple eye care routine for desk life

If you spend more than six hours a day on a screen, you are likely living with some form of digital eye strain. Symptoms include burning eyes, blurry vision after work, headaches around the temples, and difficulty switching focus between near and far.

It is not in your head and it is not permanent. A few small changes can make a real difference.

The 20 20 20 rule

Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This relaxes the focusing muscles inside your eye and resets your blink rate. Use a phone timer for the first week until it becomes natural.

Mind your distance and angle

Your screen should sit about an arm's length away with the top edge at or slightly below eye level. Looking slightly down at the screen keeps your eyelids more closed, which reduces dryness.

Blink more, on purpose

We blink about 60 percent less when we stare at screens. Place a sticky note on your monitor that simply says blink. It sounds silly. It works.

Treat the lighting around you

A bright screen in a dark room forces your pupils to work hard. Add a soft lamp behind your monitor or open a curtain. Avoid sitting with a window directly behind or in front of you.

When to come in

If your eyes are still tired after applying the routine for two weeks, you may benefit from a refraction. Even a small uncorrected prescription causes large amounts of strain when you stare at a screen for hours. Book a refraction at Canon and we will sort you out.