In the dark months, people spend significantly more time indoors, and screen work and digital entertainment increase. This directly affects eye health and can worsen dry eye symptoms. Using digital devices changes blink rates, strains the eyes, and alters working conditions in ways that promote eye surface dryness.
Dry eye syndrome is now one of the most common eye-related complaints, especially among people who work with computers. Understanding how screens, lighting conditions, and work habits affect the eyes helps prevent discomfort.
Why Does Screen Use Cause Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye complaints caused by digital device use are mostly due to changes in blinking habits. Normally, a person blinks about 15–20 times per minute at rest, but when looking at a screen, the blink rate can drop by up to half. In addition, blinks often become incomplete, with the eyelids not fully closing, which prevents the tear film from spreading evenly across the eye surface.
The tear film’s role is to protect the eyes, keep the cornea moist, and ensure clear vision. When blinking decreases, tear fluid evaporates more quickly from the eye surface, causing dryness. This results in typical symptoms:
The tear film’s role is to protect the eyes, keep the cornea moist, and ensure clear vision. When blinking decreases, tear fluid evaporates more quickly from the eye surface, causing dryness. This results in typical symptoms:
Darkness and Indoor Environments
In autumn and winter, dry eye symptoms often worsen for several reasons. First, more time is spent under artificial light, and screen time increases. Second, indoor air becomes drier during the heating season, which accelerates tear film evaporation.
Dry air directly affects the eyes: the lower the humidity, the faster the tear film breaks down. Additionally, cold air and wind outdoors reduce the eyes’ natural moisture. This means that eyes are irritated both indoors and outdoors.
In the dark months, contrast between the screen and the surrounding environment also plays a role. Working in a dim room in front of a very bright screen significantly increases eye strain.
Blue Light – Myths and Reality
There is much discussion about the effects of blue light from digital devices. A common belief is that blue light causes dry eyes and eye fatigue, but scientific studies do not confirm this. The main cause of dry eyes is actually reduced blinking and prolonged use of digital devices at close distances.
Blue light does, however, affect our body. It influences the circadian rhythm by suppressing melatonin production, which can worsen sleep quality when using devices in the evening. Additionally, intense blue light can increase eye fatigue in sensitive individuals. Blue light filter lenses may reduce subjective eye strain and fatigue in some cases, but they do not affect dry eye syndrome. What is far more important is taking regular breaks from screen work and conscious blinking.
Office vs. Home Office?
The work environment significantly affects eye health, but offices and home offices have different risk factors.
In offices, eyes can be strained by:
• Air conditioning and ventilation that dry the air
• Strong artificial light or screen glare from light sources
• Long periods of uninterrupted work
• Limited options for individually adjusting the workspace
In home offices, problems are often related to:
• Poor ergonomics (e.g., screen too close or too high)
• Insufficient lighting
• Blurring of work and rest time
• Working from a sofa or bed, which changes the angle of the eyes
The advantage of a home office is greater control over the work environment, but only if the workspace is designed ergonomically.
Dry Eye Complaints During Computer Work
Dry eye symptoms related to computer work can worsen over time. Initially, discomfort occurs only at the end of the workday, but with greater strain, the complaints may become persistent.
A paradoxical phenomenon often occurs: dry eyes may tear up. This is the body’s reflex response to irritation on the eye surface, but the composition of the tears may not be sufficient to effectively moisturize the eyes.
Prolonged dry eyes can damage the eye surface and increase the risk of inflammation, so it is important to relieve symptoms early.
The 20-20-20 Rule and Other Work Habits
One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce eye strain is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds. This relaxes the eye muscles and helps restore normal blinking.
In addition, the following habits help maintain eye health:
- Conscious and complete blinking
- Taking regular breaks during close-up work
- Positioning the screen slightly below eye level
- Adjusting brightness and contrast on digital devices
- Ensuring adequate room lighting
- Using a humidifier
Eye Moisturization and Artificial Tears
If dry eyes are a frequent problem, preservative-free artificial tears can help, especially for people who spend long hours on computers or in dry environments.
Recommendations for eye drops:
• When using contact lenses, ensure the drops are suitable for use with lenses
• If eyes are tearing, use oilier eye drops
• Eye drops cannot be overused. Preservative-free drops restore the eye surface and relieve symptoms
• If drops do not provide relief, eye gels or ointments can be tried, but they should not be used with contact lenses
When to Consult a Specialist?
If dry eyes persist despite changes in work habits and eye moisturization, it is recommended to see a dry eye specialist. Early intervention helps prevent damage to the eye surface and improves quality of life.