By Dr. Stephen Taylor
Question: I wear glasses at the office for working on the computer, but my eyes still feel so tired and sore by the end of the day. Why, and what can I do about it?
Answer: When you spend long hours at a computer, your eyes are working much harder than you might realize—so much so that this problem has an official name: computer vision syndrome (CVS). Let me walk you through what’s really going on when your eyes start protesting by the end of the day.
People usually blink about 15 times per minute, but the moment you lock onto a screen, that rate can drop dramatically. Blinking is your eyes’ built‑in refresh system, and when blinking slows, or when you’re concentrating so intensely that your blinks don’t fully close, your tear film evaporates faster, leaving behind dry spots. That’s when the burning, scratchy, irritated feeling kicks in.
Another major contributor to CVS is sustained near focus. Your eyes evolved for constant movement and rapid shifts in focus, not for staring at one fixed distance for hours. When your eye muscles hold that same position all day, they fatigue just like any other muscle would if you held a single pose too long. Screens also introduce glare and contrast levels that aren’t exactly natural for your visual system.The result is eye strain, headaches, and that heavy, exhausted sensation.
The good news is that these symptoms are usually temporary and very manageable. Start with the 20‑20‑20 rule: every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Building in these micro‑breaks to reset your focus and posture, fine‑tuning your workstation so your screen sits at a comfortable angle and distance, and using lubricating drops to support your tear film can make a noticeable difference. It’s also worth scheduling an eye exam to talk through your work setup and ensure your glasses have the right lens design for your work style. There are spectacle lenses and coatings designed specifically for this purpose that may give you relief from your discomfort.
At Mayfair Optometric Clinic we provide a welcoming environment for patients to receive eye exams and pick out the perfect eyewear that works for each individual.
Please give us a call to book your appointment with Dr. Peddle, Dr. Stasiuk or myself
