Digital Eye Strain
in Bonnyville & St. Paul, Alberta

Request Appointment

Eye Discomfort & Fatigue: Symptoms of a Modern Age

Did you know that the average Canadian spends nearly 11 hours a day looking at a digital device? From smartphones to tablets to TVs, these devices lead to eye fatigue and discomfort known as digital eye strain.

Despite the name, digital eye strain isn’t actually caused by the devices themselves. Instead, eye strain, whether digitally related or not, is caused by intense eye use. Some of the most common causes of eye strain include reading, writing, driving, and, of course, using digital devices.

Digital screens exacerbate eye strain because people tend to:

  • Blink less while using computers.
  • Use less than ideal posture & angles when on computers.
  • Use screens with glare or reflection.
  • Use devices with low contrast between text & background.

Digital eye strain symptoms can also be intensified by uncorrected eye problems like eye misalignment or refractive errors.

We can help alleviate the symptoms of digital eye strain.

Common Symptoms of Eye Strain

Symptoms of eye strain include:

  • Headaches
  • Neck & shoulder pain
  • Back pain
  • Eye fatigue or irritation
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry eyes
  • Difficulty focusing

What Can You Do to Prevent Digital Eye Strain?

There are a few easy changes you can make to your daily routines to reduce the strain on your eyes while using digital devices:

Some optometrists recommend using the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes a much-needed break. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

The Resting Point of Accommodation (RPA) is the distance from an object that your eyes need to focus comfortably. 15 to 27 inches is usually sufficient to provide comfort for most users.

Computer glasses are specifically designed to assist your eyes with viewing content on screens. These glasses also come with anti-reflective (AR) coating to reduce the glare on digital screens.

Other task-specific glasses are available to help your eyes focus at varying distances, like playing the piano or shooting. Please ask our doctors or staff about specialty glasses when you visit our clinic.

We recommend heavy computer users undergo regular eye exams, including children. Eye exams will uncover underlying eye problems that exacerbate digital eye strain.

Minimize glare by dimming the lights in your office, if possible. Excessively bright light exacerbates digital eye strain.

Position your computer screen away from bright light sources, such as windows. Reflections on digital screens can contribute to eye strain. Remember to regularly clean your screen with a monitor-safe cloth to remove dust and smudges.

Adjust your colour and contrast tones to suit your eyes and surroundings. If you catch yourself squinting at your screen by day’s end, consider increasing the font size for improved visibility and comfort.

Should You Worry About Digital Eye Strain?

Fortunately, digital eye strain doesn’t commonly lead to long-term consequences. However, when it comes to your overall eye health, it’s important to be proactive. If you’re experiencing digital eye strain symptoms, we recommend making the necessary changes to reduce demand on your eyes. Then call us to book an eye exam to rule out underlying problems.

Find Us In Bonnyville & St. Paul

Bonnyville

Find us on the corner of Main & 52nd Street, across from Westline Autowash.

  • 5201 50 Avenue
  • Bonnyville, AB T9N 2G6

St. Paul

You can find us on 51st Avenue, next to the Fire Hall.

  • 4916 51 Avenue
  • St. Paul, AB T0A 3A0

Our Blog

How Long Does an Eye Exam Take?

Eye Exams

Booking an eye exam might seem like a hassle, but it’s an important step in maintaining your vision. It doesn’t take as long as you might think, and the benefits outweigh the minor inconvenience. A regular eye exam can help detect and address potential eye problems early, preventing more serious issues down the line. If […]

Read More… from How Long Does an Eye Exam Take?

September 16, 2024
Lakeland Family Eyecare

Why Are My Eyes So Dry When I Wake Up?

Contact Lenses, Dry Eye, Eye Exams

Dry eyes are one of the most common eye disorders. Millions of people experience dry eye at some point in their lives, especially as they get older. Many people’s eyes dry out overnight, leading to that itchy, sandpapery feeling when they wake up in the morning.  The most common reasons for waking up with dry […]

Read More… from Why Are My Eyes So Dry When I Wake Up?

July 30, 2024
Lakeland Family Eyecare

How Often Should My Child Have an Eye Exam?

Children’s Eye Care, Eye Exams

Eye exams are an important part of maintaining good eye health, and this is especially true for children. As they grow and develop, their vision can change rapidly, making regular eye exams essential. However, several factors can influence how often your child should have an eye exam. These include their age, family history of eye […]

Read More… from How Often Should My Child Have an Eye Exam?

June 17, 2024
Lakeland Family Eyecare
A smiling patient sits in an exam chair facing their optometrist, who is asking questions as part of an eye exam.

Booking an eye exam might seem like a hassle, but it’s an important step in maintaining your vision. It doesn’t take as long as you might think, and the benefits outweigh the minor inconvenience. A regular eye exam can help detect and address potential eye problems early, preventing more serious issues down the line. If […]

Read More… from How Long Does an Eye Exam Take?

A person sits on the edge of his bed, just having woken up. He's resting his head on his hands and rubbing his eyes.

Dry eyes are one of the most common eye disorders. Millions of people experience dry eye at some point in their lives, especially as they get older. Many people’s eyes dry out overnight, leading to that itchy, sandpapery feeling when they wake up in the morning.  The most common reasons for waking up with dry […]

Read More… from Why Are My Eyes So Dry When I Wake Up?

A boy undergoes a slit lamp exam during an eye exam.

Eye exams are an important part of maintaining good eye health, and this is especially true for children. As they grow and develop, their vision can change rapidly, making regular eye exams essential. However, several factors can influence how often your child should have an eye exam. These include their age, family history of eye […]

Read More… from How Often Should My Child Have an Eye Exam?

instagram facebook facebook2 pinterest twitter google-plus google linkedin2 yelp youtube phone location calendar share2 link star-full star star-half chevron-right chevron-left chevron-down chevron-up envelope fax