Does Working in Front of a Computer Cause Dry Eye Syndrome?

a person with glasses and a blue shirt covering his mouth with his hands



If you're like most Americans, you spend the majority of your workday stuck behind a computer screen, only to come home and spend hours looking at televisions, tablets, and your cell phone screen. The result of all of this technology is a syndrome called digital eye strain or computer vision. It's characterized by dry eye, headaches, and a feeling of tension behind the eyes. At Ella Eyes, we have provided residents of Houston, TX, with dry eye treatment for many years.

Effects of Screen Time 

Staring at a computer screen is not a natural behavior. Our eyes were designed to constantly switch between looking at things that are far away and looking at things that are up close. As your eyes do this, you will naturally blink as your eyes refocus, and restore some moisture to the eye. When working for long stretches on a screen, however, there is no refocusing. The eyes only move back and forth. This means that a person will blink less, causing the eyes to become dry.

Dry Eye Treatment 

There are several ways to treat dry eye syndrome. During an eye exam, our eye doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes like taking frequent breaks from computer work. Our eye doctor might also recommend lubricating eye drops. While you will have to remember to use them before symptoms start, they can go a long way toward treating the pain and scratchiness of dry eyes. If these methods do not work, there are other possibilities such as eye surgery or oral medications that have a high likelihood of solving the problem.

Schedule an Appointment with our Eye Care Professionals in Houston, TX 

If you are looking for eye care services in Houston, TX, contact Ella Eyes today. Our eye doctor serves Hedwig Village, Memorial, Tanglewood, Galleria, Spring, Bellaire, and surrounding Houston areas. Call us at (713) 722-9066 for more information on digital eye strain or to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor.

a person with glasses and a blue shirt covering his mouth with his hands



If you're like most Americans, you spend the majority of your workday stuck behind a computer screen, only to come home and spend hours looking at televisions, tablets, and your cell phone screen. The result of all of this technology is a syndrome called digital eye strain or computer vision. It's characterized by dry eye, headaches, and a feeling of tension behind the eyes. At Ella Eyes, we have provided residents of Houston, TX, with dry eye treatment for many years.

Effects of Screen Time 

Staring at a computer screen is not a natural behavior. Our eyes were designed to constantly switch between looking at things that are far away and looking at things that are up close. As your eyes do this, you will naturally blink as your eyes refocus, and restore some moisture to the eye. When working for long stretches on a screen, however, there is no refocusing. The eyes only move back and forth. This means that a person will blink less, causing the eyes to become dry.

Dry Eye Treatment 

There are several ways to treat dry eye syndrome. During an eye exam, our eye doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes like taking frequent breaks from computer work. Our eye doctor might also recommend lubricating eye drops. While you will have to remember to use them before symptoms start, they can go a long way toward treating the pain and scratchiness of dry eyes. If these methods do not work, there are other possibilities such as eye surgery or oral medications that have a high likelihood of solving the problem.

Schedule an Appointment with our Eye Care Professionals in Houston, TX 

If you are looking for eye care services in Houston, TX, contact Ella Eyes today. Our eye doctor serves Hedwig Village, Memorial, Tanglewood, Galleria, Spring, Bellaire, and surrounding Houston areas. Call us at (713) 722-9066 for more information on digital eye strain or to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor.

1325 S Voss Rd, Houston, TX 77057

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Closed

Thursday, Friday

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday

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Ella Eyes

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