Simple rules for screen breaks, lighting and when a blurred view means it is time for a test.
Phones and computers are part of daily life now, and our eyes are paying for it. Tired, dry, burning eyes after long screen time are common, but a few habits make a real difference.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This relaxes the focusing muscle inside the eye and gives it the rest it cannot get while staring at a screen.
Blink more. We blink about half as often when looking at screens, which dries the surface of the eye. If your eyes feel gritty or watery by evening, that dryness is usually the cause. Conscious blinking and, if needed, lubricating eye drops help.
Check your setup. The screen should sit slightly below eye level and about an arm's length away. Avoid working in a dark room with a bright screen, and reduce glare from windows and lamps falling on the display.
Some symptoms should not be waited out. Sudden vision loss, flashes of light, a shadow across your vision, persistent double vision or eye pain all need prompt examination. And if you are over 40 and finding small print harder, or you have diabetes, a regular eye test should be part of your routine care.
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