We’ve all done it - endlessly scrolling through news, emails, or social media long after we meant to stop. While this “doom scrolling” habit may seem harmless, it can have a real impact on your eye health. Prolonged screen time reduces how often you blink, disrupts tear production, and can lead to uncomfortable dry eye symptoms like burning, irritation, and blurred vision.
 

The Connection Between Screen Time and Dry Eyes

When you focus on a screen for long periods, your blink rate drops by nearly 60%. Each blink helps spread tears evenly across the surface of your eyes, keeping them lubricated and clear. With fewer blinks, your eyes don’t get enough moisture, leading to that familiar feeling of dryness, grittiness, or burning after hours of scrolling.

In addition, many people doom scroll in poor lighting conditions which can strain the eyes even more. Blue light from screens can also disrupt tear film stability, worsening irritation and redness over time.
 

Why This Happens

Your eyes depend on a delicate balance of oil, water, and mucus to stay comfortable. The meibomian glands in your eyelids play a key role by producing the oil layer that prevents tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or stop functioning properly, it can lead to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), one of the main causes of evaporative dry eye disease.
 

What You Can Do to Prevent Dry Eyes

While cutting back on screen time isn’t always realistic, there are simple steps you can take to help protect your eyes and reduce dryness:

• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps your eyes relax and encourages regular blinking, which keeps your tear film balanced.

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water throughout the day supports healthy tear production. Dehydration can make dry eye symptoms worse, especially when combined with prolonged screen use.

• Use a Humidifier: Dry indoor air can accelerate tear evaporation. A humidifier helps add moisture back into the air and reduces irritation.
 

Advanced Relief with Systane® iLux2®

At Complete Eyecare, we offer the Systane® iLux2® treatment to help relieve dry eye symptoms caused by MGD. This innovative device uses gentle heat and compression to unblock the meibomian glands, restoring your eyes’ natural tear film and providing long-lasting comfort. The treatment is quick, non-invasive, and highly effective for patients experiencing dryness due to excessive screen use or digital strain.

With the iLux2®, we can not only relieve your current discomfort but also help protect your eyes against future irritation - so you can enjoy your screen time without compromising your eye health.
 

Restore Comfort to Your Eyes at Complete Eyecare

While it may be hard to resist the endless scroll, your eyes will thank you for taking breaks and reducing your screen time. If you notice persistent dryness, irritation, or blurred vision after long periods on your phone or computer, it may be time for a professional dry eye evaluation.

Don’t let digital habits stand between you and comfortable vision. Schedule a consultation with Complete Eyecare to learn more about your dry eye treatment options. Visit our office in Blaine, Minnesota, or call (763) 220-2602 to book an appointment today.