01 / The tear film

Tears are more than water.

Each blink spreads a thin tear film across the surface of the eye. It keeps the cornea smooth and moist, contributes to clear vision and protects the ocular surface.

Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears do not remain stable on the eye’s surface. This is why two people with similar symptoms may need different assessments.

02 / Prolonged concentration

A screen does not dry the eyes by itself—but it changes how we use them.

When concentrating on a computer, tablet or phone, we often blink less frequently or less completely. The tear film is renewed less often, and discomfort may become more noticeable, particularly in air-conditioned, draughty or low-humidity environments.

Tired eyes after many hours of near work may also occur alongside an uncorrected refractive error or other causes. The term “screen-related eye strain” therefore does not explain every symptom on its own.

Important: Frequent short breaks are more useful than one long break at the end of the day. Small, regular changes allow the eyes to shift focus and blink more naturally.

03 / How it may feel

Dry eye can feel like more than simply “dry eyes”.

Symptoms may vary during the day and become worse after prolonged concentration.

  • Stinging, burning or a gritty, foreign-body sensation.
  • Redness, sensitivity to light or a heavy feeling in the eyelids.
  • Intermittent blurred vision that may change after blinking.
  • Reflex watering, even though the eye’s surface is irritated.

04 / Small changes

Five practical habits for more comfortable screen work.

The following steps do not replace an examination and are not a treatment for every type of dry eye. They may, however, reduce everyday aggravating factors.

  • Use the 20-20-20 rule: approximately every 20 minutes, look at something about 6 metres away for 20 seconds.
  • Remember to blink fully and frequently, especially when reading small text.
  • Redirect air conditioning or fans away from your face, and consider using a humidifier in a very dry room.
  • Adjust font size, viewing distance and lighting so that you do not need to lean forward or squint.
  • Take short breaks and support adequate sleep and hydration as part of your general health.

05 / Individual assessment

When discomfort persists, the cause needs to be assessed.

An examination can assess the ocular surface, the eyelids, tear quantity and stability, as well as factors such as contact-lens use, medicines or coexisting conditions.

Do not select or change long-term eye drops on the basis of general information alone. The appropriate approach depends on the cause and severity of the symptoms.

Urgent assessment

Severe pain, marked sensitivity to light, a sudden or persistent reduction in vision, an injury or pronounced redness requires urgent medical assessment and should not automatically be attributed to dry eye.