Is it dry eye or is it screen fatigue?
Also referred to as computer vision syndrome and digital eye strain, screen fatigue is described as a group of eye- and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer, tablet, e-reader and cell phone use.
Did you know we tend to blink less while looking at screens?
We tend to blink less during screen use. Normally, we blink about 12–15 times a minute, but this often drops to 4 times a minute during screen-use. [1] That may not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to damaging dryness.
Reduced blinking can lead to increased tear evaporation
Our tear films have a natural protection against excessive evaporation, which is the lipid (oily) layer. The longer our blink intervals are, the more likely our lipid layer will break, allowing our tears to evaporate faster.
Symptoms of screen fatigue
The most common symptoms associated with screen fatigue or digital eyestrain are:
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Eyestrain
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Headaches
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Blurred vision
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Dry eyes
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Neck and shoulder pain
Reference: Bentivoglio AR, Bressman SB, Cassetta E, Carretta D, Tonali P, Albanese A. Analysis of blink rate patterns in normal subjects. Mov Disord. 1997;12(6):1028-1034.