You may have heard somewhere that looking at a computer, smartphone or other digital screen for long periods of time will permanently damage your eyes. Thankfully, this is like the old adage about “ruining your eyes” from watching too much television or sitting too close to the TV: it’s simply not true. However, you probably notice some uncomfortable effects from staring at your screen too long.
Digital-related eye strain affects people of all ages. If you spend hours a day using digital devices, you might notice your vision blurs, and your eyes feel achy and tired. You may also find your eyes become dry, and will tear or sting. This eye strain is no different from the symptoms you may have when reading, writing or doing “close work” like sewing for long stretches of time.