Eye health check: Screen fatigue
As you catch up on your favourite books, TV series or holiday movies, here’s how to avoid screen fatigue, care for your eyes and maintain good eye health over the summer holiday season.
“Hours in front of a screen can leave your eyes strained, dry and tired — that’s screen fatigue at work.”
What is screen fatigue?
Screen fatigue is also known as computer vision syndrome. The condition is the result of extended periods in front of a computer screen where the eye muscles in and around the eye become worn out.
It equally affects those who use glasses and those who don’t and has become even more prevalent since the pandemic where very little happened in a work or social environment away from a screen.
Symptoms of screen fatigue
Headaches, blurry vision and dry or watery eyes may be symptoms of screen fatigue. Physiological symptoms like back or neck pain can also result from screen fatigue.
Ignoring early symptoms could lead to more serious, long-term effects caused by excessive screen time like near-sightedness and macular degeneration.
Screen fatigue checklist
To avoid screen fatigue and to help you become more aware of the effects of excessive screen time, be sure to check the following list:
- Existing vision issues
- Be sure to visit Ian Donald Optometrists for your annual eye health check. We conduct a thorough check of your eye health to detect early signs of eye diseases and offer eye health advice relevant to your age and life stage.
- Screen glare
- Go into your computer or gaming monitor settings and adjust the brightness. Illuminate any screen reading or writing tasks. Never shine a light directly onto the monitor.
“Regular eye checks and simple lifestyle adjustments can protect your vision in our screen-heavy world.”
- Lighting
- Low-level or ambient lighting is best for screen time or tasks. Avoid fluorescent or direct, intense lighting.
- Posture
- The correct posture for screen use is more important than ever. Your feet should sit flat on the floor or footrest, and your thighs should sit parallel to the floor. Shoulders should be relaxed with forearms resting on the surface area. The screen should be as close to eye level as possible.
- Ergonomic set up
- Ergonomic refers to making furniture or equipment comfortable and effective for people who use it. In an office setting, this includes your chair and desk selection, laptop stands and second screens and the width of your desk. Aside from eye health issues, bad ergonomics in a work environment could also lead to musculoskeletal disorders.
Summer health eye health
Aside from the screen time binge-watching, the summer holidays also bring about other eye health risks, so as we prepare for our December holidays, here’s a reminder about proactive eye care for children, adults and seniors.
Over the summer months, we expose our eyes to ultraviolet (UV) sunlight, chlorine and other factors common to summer activities.
Preventive measures like sunglasses and goggles when swimming are simple yet effective ways to protect your eyes over the festive season. For more summer eye health suggestions, see our summer eye health blog.
Regular eye health checks are essential in maintaining eye care, especially if you are predisposed to eye conditions or other chronic illnesses. Make an appointment and chat with our eye experts.
Meet the Author
Ian Donald
Optometrist
Ian Donald had a vision.
He was going to become a dentist. It seemed like a good plan, until his careers adviser gave him a brochure on optometry. It opened up a whole new world. The eye intrigued him. It fascinated him. Optometry captivated him. And so his whole focus changed.
Ian went on to do work experience in the very office he owns today. While studying Optometry at the prestigious UNSW, he spent hours working in that same office, doing all the things no one else wanted to do. Filing. Filing. Filing.
Learning, learning, learning. It’s part of who he is.
Even today he is constantly training and retraining, studying and staying up to date with the latest technology in eye health.
So what else energises Ian?
‘Riding my bike, being part of the community, and helping people see. It gives me the best feeling possible. We take it for granted, because we do it all day, every day. It’s such a gift to be able to give people peace of mind.’ Read More
FAQs
What is screen fatigue?
Screen fatigue, also called computer vision syndrome, occurs when long hours in front of screens strain the eye muscles, leading to blurry vision, dry eyes, and headaches.
Who is likely to be affected by screen fatigue?
Anyone spending extended time on digital devices can experience screen fatigue symptoms, with cases increasing since COVID-19 due to more online work, study, and social interaction.
What are the symptoms of screen fatigue?
Symptoms of screen fatigue include blurred vision, eye irritation, headaches, and even neck or back pain caused by poor posture during screen use.
What can I do to reduce or avoid screen fatigue?
You can reduce screen-related eye strain by adjusting screen brightness, reducing glare, sitting with proper posture, taking regular breaks, and scheduling eye checks.
Why are regular eye health checks important for screen users?
Regular eye health checks ensure early detection of vision problems and allow your optometrist to provide tailored advice to minimise the effects of screen use.
View BrandsHave questions?
Chat with our team today
Shop 2, 37-39 The Corso,
Manly NSW 2095
Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday - 8.30am to 4.00pm
Ian Donald Optometrist is a private billing practice. Please contact reception for our consultation fee schedule. Medicare and private health insurance rebates apply.
BOOK an EYE TEST© Copyright Ian Donald Optometrist 2025. All Rights Reserved. Website by Brilliant Digital.