3. Position Your Screen Slightly Lower
The position of your screen can also contribute to dryness, says Heyman.
“I recommend positioning the computer monitor slightly below eye level, which reduces how widely the eyes must remain open and may slow tear evaporation,” she says. If needed, increase the font size rather than leaning closer, says Heyman.
Andreoli recommends sitting 25 inches (about two feet) away.
4. Reduce Glare and Make the Screen Easier to Read
You may not realize it, but glare, low contrast, and small text make your eyes work harder to see what’s on the screen.
Little changes like adjusting the brightness and contrast and minimizing glare can make the screen easier to see and reduce eyestrain, says Andreoli. Your device’s system settings will allow you to adjust brightness to a comfortable level and increase contrast. And you can minimize glare by blocking light that reflects onto your screen by closing window curtains or blinds, and by avoiding harsh overhead lighting and using lower-wattage bulbs.
Increasing the font size and alternating computer work with non-screen tasks can also help, says Heyman.
5. Keep Fans and Vents Aimed Away From Your Face
Fans, heating vents, air-conditioning, and low humidity can cause tears to evaporate more quickly, adding to screen-related dryness, says Heyman.
“People should avoid having fans or air vents directed toward their faces and consider using a humidifier in particularly dry environments,” she says. Check the airflow around your usual workspace and redirect a vent or move your seat if needed, says Heyman.
6. Use Artificial Tears Before Discomfort Builds
If you find yourself reaching for drops more than four times a day, she generally recommends preservative-free artificial tears, as preservatives may cause additional irritation with repeated use. Preservative-free drops can be used as often as needed.
If you have severe dry eyes, Andreoli suggests asking your ophthalmologist about a prescription for a thicker gel or ointment.
Contact lens wearers should make sure the drops are approved for use with them, says Heyman.
She advises against relying on products marketed mainly to “get the red out,” because they may not adequately treat dryness and can sometimes cause rebound redness.
“Perhaps most importantly, people should keep in mind that while artificial tears help manage symptoms, they may not address the underlying cause of dry eye,” says Heyman.
7. Know When to See an Eye Doctor
You shouldn’t assume that discomfort and fluctuating vision are simply part of the deal if you spend most of your day looking at screens, says Heyman.
If symptoms continue even after you’ve made changes like those previously mentioned, an eye exam could help uncover the cause, she says. “Dry eye is not a single condition; it can be related to eyelid inflammation, problems with the oil-producing glands in the eyelids, medication side effects, contact lens wear, autoimmune disease, environmental factors, or other eye conditions,” says Heyman.
If your symptoms are affecting productivity, comfort, or quality of life, it is time to schedule an eye examination, she says.
Eye pain, significant redness, light sensitivity, discharge, a sudden change in vision, an eye injury, or the feeling that something is stuck in your eye shouldn’t be brushed off or something to discuss at a future appointment; you should seek care right away for any of those symptoms, says Heyman.
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