Computer vision syndrome: when screens tire your eyes
Burning, tired eyes by evening, blurred vision when you look up from the laptop, headaches and a stiff neck. Long hours on screens in air-conditioned offices are the most common reason working Kolkata visits an eye doctor, and most of it is fixable.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ananyabrata Das, MBBS, DOUpdated 22 October 2026
Why screens strain the eyes
- Less blinking: we blink about half as often while staring at a screen, so tears evaporate
- Uncorrected power: small amounts of short sight, long sight or astigmatism make the eyes work harder
- Focusing fatigue: holding focus at one distance for hours, especially after 40
- Glare and posture: bright windows, screens too high, AC blowing on the face
What helps
- The 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and blink fully
- Screen an arm's length away, the top of the screen at or just below eye level
- Point AC vents away from your face; use preservative-free lubricant drops
- Get an eye test: computer glasses set for screen distance help many people over 40
- Treat underlying dry eye if your tear film breaks up quickly
Do blue-light glasses help?
Current evidence says blue-light filters do little for eye strain. Correct power, regular breaks and dry-eye treatment make a much bigger difference. Blue light from screens does not damage the retina.
Children and screens
Long hours of close work and little time outdoors are linked to rising myopia in children. Two hours of daylight a day helps. See children's eyes.
Questions
Can screens damage my eyes permanently?
Screens cause strain and dryness, not permanent damage. Symptoms improve with breaks, the right glasses and dry-eye care.
Do I need computer glasses?
If you are over 40, or have a small uncorrected power, glasses set for screen distance often relieve strain. An eye test tells you.