How Can Your Daily Screen Time Contribute to Dry Eye?

In today’s modern world, it’s common for people to spend hours each day staring at screens - whether it’s for work, school, or entertainment. But for many individuals, this prolonged screen time may be contributing to an uncomfortable and often overlooked condition: dry eye.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to symptoms like burning, stinging, redness, blurry vision, and a gritty or foreign body sensation in the eyes. While environmental factors like air conditioning and allergies can play a role, one of the biggest culprits in our screen-focused society is extended screen use.

How Screen Time Affects Your Eyes

When you focus on a screen for long periods, your blink rate naturally decreases, sometimes by up to 50%. Blinking is essential for spreading tears across the surface of your eyes, keeping them moisturized and protected. With less blinking, your eyes don’t get the hydration they need, and the tear film becomes unstable, leading to increased evaporation and dry eye symptoms. For residents of Arlington, VA who work in office settings, attend online classes, or regularly use digital devices, this daily strain can quickly take a toll on ocular comfort and vision quality.

When to See a Doctor

If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms like dry, irritated, or watery eyes, it may be time to consult with an eye doctor. Chronic dry eye may signal an underlying issue such as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), where the oil glands in your eyelids are not functioning properly.

At Eye Rx, we can determine the root cause of your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan. Advanced therapies such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radiofrequency (RF) treatments are available to target the inflammation and gland dysfunction contributing to dry eye, offering long-term relief beyond artificial tears or over-the-counter drops.

Achieve Dry Eye Relief at Eye Rx in Arlington, VA

In a city like Arlington, where many lead busy, tech-driven lives, protecting your eye health is more important than ever. If screen time is leaving your eyes dry, irritated, or tired, don’t ignore the signs. Early intervention can prevent symptoms from worsening and help you enjoy clearer, more comfortable vision.

Schedule a comprehensive dry eye evaluation with Eye Rx and discover how advanced treatments can bring lasting relief. Visit our office in Arlington, Virginia, or call (703) 553-1094 to book an appointment today.