Computer Vision Syndrome & Digital Eye Strain in Anchorage

Man at a laptop pressing the bridge of his nose with his glasses pushed up, a sign of digital eye strain

Relief for Tired Eyes From Screen Time

Computer vision syndrome, also called digital eye strain, is a group of eye and vision problems that can come from long hours on computers, tablets, and phones. At Southside Eyecare & Optical in Anchorage, Dr. Jacquelyn Lamigo and Dr. Christie Stemmle check your vision, your eye focusing, and your tear film to find what is causing your symptoms and how to ease them.

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Call 907-561-1167

What is computer vision syndrome?

Computer vision syndrome (CVS), or digital eye strain, is eye discomfort and vision trouble that comes from prolonged use of digital devices. Common symptoms include eye strain, dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. An eye exam can show whether an updated prescription, glasses set for your screen distance, or dry eye treatment will help.

Exam, Computer Glasses, and Dry Eye Care in One Place

If screens are most of your workday, our ABO-certified opticians fit occupational and intermediate-distance lenses set for the distance you actually sit from your monitor, and we finish them in our in-house lab. If dry eye turns out to be part of the problem, we treat that here too.

Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain

Long hours on a screen can leave your eyes feeling worn out. The most common signs are:

- Tired, heavy-feeling eyes after screen time

- Dry, irritated eyes, since people blink less while looking at screens

- Blurry vision, especially when switching focus between the screen and other things

- Headaches around the eyes or forehead

- Neck and shoulder pain from posture at the computer

- Sensitivity to bright light or glare

- Occasional double vision

Simple Ways to Ease Eye Strain

Small changes to your setup and habits make a real difference:

- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds

- Blink fully and often, and use lubricating drops if your eyes feel dry

- Set your screen about an arm's length away and slightly below eye level

- Cut down on glare from windows and overhead lights

- Keep your glasses prescription up to date

Do Blue Light Glasses Help With Eye Strain?

Not for eye strain, no. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reviewed the research and found that blue light-blocking glasses do not improve the symptoms of digital eye strain, and that there is no scientific evidence that light from computer screens damages your eyes.

We do sell blue light filtering coatings and we will put one on your lenses if you want it. We are just not going to tell you it fixes tired eyes, because the research does not say that.

What actually causes the problem is usually one of three things, and all three are treatable:

- You blink far less often while looking at a screen, which lets the tear film dry out

- Your focusing system holds one distance for hours with no break

- Your prescription is off, even slightly, so your eyes work harder all day to make up for it

An eye exam sorts out which one is yours. If the answer is your prescription, we make [computer glasses set for your screen distance](/eyeglasses) in our own lab. Call 907-561-1167 and tell us you are having eye strain from screen use.

Eye Strain Questions

Can screen time cause dry eyes?

Yes. People blink less when they focus on a screen, which lets tears evaporate faster. That can leave your eyes dry, gritty, or irritated by the end of the day.

Do I need glasses just for the computer?

Some people do, especially after age 40 or when their current glasses are not set for screen distance. A computer lens is focused for the distance you actually sit from your monitor, which is usually closer than driving distance and farther than reading distance. Our ABO-certified opticians fit occupational and intermediate-distance lenses for exactly this, and we finish them in our own lab. Your exam will show whether a dedicated pair would help.

Is an exam for eye strain covered by insurance?

Routine eye exams are usually covered by vision plans. If you have a medical eye problem such as dry eye, the visit may be billed to your medical insurance. Our front desk can check your coverage before your visit.

Get Help for Eye Strain

Call 907-561-1167 or request an appointment online.

Request Appointment
Call 907-561-1167