Is There a Relationship Between Dry Eye Disease and Digital Screen Use?

If your eyes feel dry, irritated, or tired after spending time on a computer, phone, or tablet, digital screens may be part of the problem. In today’s screen-focused world, many patients are experiencing dry eye symptoms that affect comfort and vision. Understanding how digital device use impacts your eyes is an important first step toward finding lasting relief.

How Digital Screens Affect Your Eyes

When we look at digital screens - computers, tablets, phones, or TVs - our natural blinking rate drops. Under normal circumstances, we blink about 15-20 times per minute. When staring at a screen, that number can be cut in half.

Blinking plays a critical role in eye health. Each blink spreads tears evenly across the surface of the eye, keeping it hydrated and protected. Fewer blinks mean tears evaporate more quickly, leaving the eyes dry and irritated.

For some people, these symptoms may be temporary. For others, especially those with underlying tear film problems, screen use can make chronic dry eye disease much worse.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye disease is a complex condition in which the eyes do not produce enough quality tears to stay properly lubricated. Many patients assume dry eye is simply a lack of tears, but in reality, poor tear quality is often the main issue. One of the most common underlying causes of dry eye disease is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Meibomian glands are located along the edges of the eyelids and are responsible for producing the oily layer of the tear film. This oil helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.

When these glands become blocked or don’t function properly, tears evaporate faster than normal - even if your eyes are making enough tears. Digital screen use can worsen MGD because incomplete or infrequent blinking prevents the glands from releasing oil effectively. Without addressing the underlying gland dysfunction, over-the-counter artificial tears may only provide temporary relief.

When Should You See Your Eye Doctor?

If dry eye symptoms are occasional and mild, simple changes like taking screen breaks, blinking more frequently, and using lubricating drops may help. However, you should schedule an eye exam if you experience:

• Persistent dryness or irritation

• Blurry vision that comes and goes

• Eye discomfort that worsens with screen use

• Redness or burning that doesn’t improve

• Excessive tearing along with dryness

These symptoms may indicate chronic dry eye disease or MGD, both of which require professional evaluation and targeted treatment.

Why Personalized Dry Eye Treatment Matters

Dry eye disease is not the same for everyone. That’s why a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. At Family Vision Care of Richmond, we focus on identifying the root cause of your symptoms rather than just masking them. A dry eye evaluation may include assessing tear quality, eyelid health, gland function, and lifestyle factors such as digital screen habits. Once the underlying cause is identified, treatment can be tailored specifically to your needs.

Take the First Step Toward Comfortable Vision

There is a clear relationship between digital screen use and dry eye disease, especially when underlying conditions like meibomian gland dysfunction are present. While screens are an unavoidable part of modern life, persistent dry eye symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. Early evaluation and personalized treatment can make a significant difference in comfort, vision, and overall eye health.

If dry, irritated, or tired eyes are interfering with your daily screen use, schedule a dry eye evaluation at Family Vision Care of Richmond today. Visit our office in Glen Allen or Ashland, Virginia. Call (804) 217-9883 or (804) 798-3306 to book an appointment.