Eye health resources

Digital screens and your eye health: what to know

Q: Can digital eye strain cause permanent damage?

Digital eye strain does not typically cause permanent eye damage. However, the symptoms—like headaches, dry eyes, and blurry vision—can be very uncomfortable and make it hard to focus on your daily tasks. Taking breaks and adjusting your screen habits will usually resolve the issue.

Q: Why do my eyes feel so tired after looking at my phone?

When you look at your phone, you probably hold it very close to your face and blink much less than normal. This combination tires out your eye muscles and can dry out the surface of your eyes, leading to that heavy, fatigued feeling.

Q: Are blue light glasses actually worth it?

Many people will tell you that they feel more comfortable when using blue light filtering glasses, but there are many different lenses out there with different filtering abilities, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology does not officially recommend them to prevent eye strain. Speak to your eye doctor for their recommendation for your glasses and remember that taking regular breaks and adjusting your screen brightness and height are also shown to help.

Q: Does looking at phone screens affect eyesight?

Spending a long time on digital devices like your phone can lead to symptoms of digital eye strain like dry eyes and blurry vision, but there isn’t evidence that blue-violet light from screens can permanently damage your eyes. Even so, there is some evidence that near work may increase the chance of myopia progression in children.

Q: What are the side effects of staring at a screen for too long?

Side effects of too much screen time include discomfort, eye fatigue, headache, blurry vision and sometimes double vision. You may also notice discomfort in other areas of your body, like neck and back strain.

Medically reviewed on February 23, 2026

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Published on [Month Day, Year]

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5 minute read time

Key takeaways

Does your phone affect your eye health?

Common ways digital screens may impact your health

Tips to help prevent or relieve eye strain

Give your eyes a rest with the 20-20-20 rule

Reduce screen glare

Schedule an eye exam

Find an eye doctor

Tips to help prevent dryness of your eyes

Blink intentionally

Use artificial tears

Follow the 20-20-20 rule

Improve your environment

Still have questions?

Talk to your eye doctor about any vision concerns

Take a quick online vision test

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Can digital eye strain cause permanent damage?

Why do my eyes feel so tired after looking at my phone?

Are blue light glasses actually worth it?

Does looking at phone screens affect eyesight?

What are the side effects of staring at a screen for too long?

Footnotes

2026PP09277