Are Your Eyes Overworked?

Devices with screens enhance the way you work, play, and relax, but they can also exhaust your eyes. If your eyes ache or feel tired after staring at a screen, you might be experiencing digital eye strain (DES).

Anyone can develop DES, but people with vision problems can develop more severe symptoms. Trust West Hollywood Optometric Center to help you avoid DES or reduce its impact on your life.

Relax Your Eyes

What Does Digital Eye Strain Feel Like?

DES often presents the following symptoms during or after screen use:

Headaches
Lingering stiffness in the neck or shoulders
Challenges focusing your vision
Dry eyes

What Causes Digital Eye Strain?

Keeping Your Eyes Open Too Long

Did you know that when you focus on digital screens for a long time, you may tend to blink less often? And the less you blink, the harder your eye muscles work to focus. That means too much screen time can overwork those muscles, making them feel sore and stiff.

Blue Light Keeping Exposure

Blue light is a high-energy visible light found in the sun’s rays and most digital displays. Studies haven’t proven that it causes eye disease, but some research shows it can alter your circadian cycles, which affect the quality of your sleep. If you’ve been staring at a screen before bedtime, blue light might be one of the reasons your eyes feel tired the following day.

Strategies for Reducing Digital Eye Strain

Some people have tried to reduce the effects of DES by:

Using the 20-20-20 rule to give their eyes regular breaks during screen use. Take 20 seconds during every 20 minute period of screen time to focus your eyes on something 20 feet away from you.
Buying glasses designed to manage blue light entering your eyes. If you’re in the habit of using screens before bed, using these “blue light glasses” might promote more restful sleep.

Finding more tools and information for dealing with DES is easy. Just contact us today and let our eye doctors help.

See Us In West Hollywood

We can’t wait to help you make the best possible use of your eyes. Our practice is on Santa Monica Boulevard, near the intersection of Havenhurst Drive.

Our Address

8205 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 15
West Hollywood, CA 90046

Contact Information

Phone: 323.650.0337
Email: [email protected]

Our Hours

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Note: Saturday hours reflect the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

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Our Eye Care Services

Adult & Senior Eye Exams

Uncovering risks to your eye health and vision helps you enjoy clear and functional vision for life. Learn when to book exams and how we go the extra mile to protect your eyes.

Contact Lens Exams, Fittings, & Brands

Glasses might not be the only way to correct your vision problem. A contact lens exam at our practice could show you a path to clear vision without cluttersome frames.

Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management

Some eye diseases can cause permanent vision loss, sometimes with no warning signs. Learn more about common eye diseases and how we can help.

Children’s Eye Exams

We take pride in offering friendly, reliable eye care to even our littlest patients. Whether you’re just coming in for a check-up or to find some new funky frames, our compassionate staff are sure to take care of you.