Digital Eye Strain: The Hidden Workplace Vision Problem

Many people assume workplace eye injuries only happen in industrial jobs, but one of the most common issues ophthalmologists see today is digital eye strain.

How Poor Lighting at Work Affects Your Eyes

Lighting plays a major role in eye comfort and productivity. Poor lighting conditions can lead to eye strain, fatigue, and headaches.

Common workplace lighting problems include:

• Excessive glare from windows or overhead lights
  • Dim lighting that forces the eyes to work harder
  • Screens positioned directly in front of bright windows

To reduce strain:

• Position computer monitors slightly below eye level
  • Reduce glare with screen filters
  • Use adjustable desk lighting
  • Increase text size to reduce squinting

Spending long hours looking at computers, tablets, or phones can lead to symptoms like:

• Dry eyes
  • Blurry vision
  • Headaches
  • Eye fatigue
  • Difficulty focusing

This condition, often called Computer Vision Syndrome, affects millions of office workers.

At Wagner Kapoor Institute, we recommend following the 20-20-20 rule to reduce strain:

Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Adjusting your screen brightness, increasing text size, and blinking more frequently can also help reduce irritation.

If digital eye strain is interfering with your workday, a comprehensive eye exam can help determine whether glasses, screen adjustments, or dry eye treatments may help.

Author

Alan L. Wagner, MD, FACS, FICS, FASRS, AME Dr. Alan Wagner is recognized internationally as an innovator in the treatment of patients with retinal and macula disease, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, ocular oncology, and the application of Lean Six Sigma to healthcare delivery. Dr. Wagner is engaged in setting and advocating healthcare policy, currently serving as Chair of the American College of Surgeons’ Advisory Council for Ophthalmic Surgery and in the past positions including President of the Virginia Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Secretariat of State Affairs and Counselor for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, President of the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation, Board of Visitors as well as Trustee at Eastern Virginia Medical School, President of the Virginia Beach Medical Society, and appointed by five Virginia Governors to multiple Commissions and Board positions. Dr. Wagner’s integrated team approach enables the latest in diagnosis, treatment, and leading-edge research.