Let’s be honest — screens are an inseparable part of our lives. Work, communication, endless scrolling, and Netflix marathons have become the new normal.
If you’re between 18 and 40, you’re probably a true “screen guru”. After staring at a computer all day, you may end up with itchy and tired eyes, headaches, or temporary blurred vision.
This is a typical case of being “screen-tired” — a state that drains your energy.
The good news? You don’t have to live with it. With smart habits, you can do a lot for your eyes — without a full digital detox (because honestly, who has time for that?).
Are screens silently harming your eyes? Take a quick self-check — do your eyes show any of these SOS signals:
- Headaches: dull pain in the temple area.
- Moments of blurred vision: after screen time, it feels like your eyes need a “restart”.
- “Sahara eyes”: dryness, itching, irritation, or just general discomfort.
- Heavy and tired eyes: as if they just want to close and sleep.
- Light sensitivity: even normal lighting feels too bright.
- Neck and shoulder pain: often caused by poor posture in front of a screen.
If you nodded at some of these — your eyes need a break. But eye rest doesn’t have to be boring:
- Look into the distance and blink slowly: Think of it as a “mini spa” for your eyes. Every 30 minutes, find the farthest point in your field of vision (for example, outside a window). Focus on it — and then, an important step recommended by Dr. Ants Haavel: blink slowly and consciously a few times. Looking far away, combined with blinking, relaxes your eye muscles and works like a mini eye vacation.
Imagine yourself as a calm eagle ruling its kingdom and blinking peacefully. - Your eyes are like athletes — train them. They work marathon hours throughout the day. Don’t force them to stay at the same distance all the time. Change your focal point — look near, far, to the sides.
Variety keeps the eye muscles in shape. - Blink more: When looking at screens, we often forget to blink, even though blinking is your eyes’ natural moisturizer. Stick a note on your monitor saying: “BLINK.” Practice it consciously, and your eyes will thank you.
- Where and how you work affects your eyes more than you think:
- Screen distance: Keep it at arm’s length. The top of the screen should be at eye level or slightly below — the right posture helps prevent neck tension.
- Reflections: Bright light and windows can become your enemies. If needed, use an anti-glare filter.
- Fonts & screen brightness: The text should be large enough and easy to read. In the evening, use your device’s blue light filters.
- Hydrate – from the inside, and deliciously: If you’re dehydrated, your eyes will feel it too. Drink water, but also add juicy fruits to your menu: watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, blueberries. They’re packed with vitamins, tasty, and eye-friendly!
- Two-minute break: Stand up every hour, move for 2 minutes, look into the distance. It may seem like a small thing, but it truly works – for your body, eyes, and brain.
What if “comfortable vision” was… just normal?
If these tips don’t help, you wear glasses or contact lenses, and you still feel discomfort, it might be time to think about a long-term solution. This isn’t just about getting rid of lenses – it’s about improving your everyday life: work, creativity, sports, and more. Smart habits can help a lot, but if you sometimes imagine what life would be like completely free of glasses or lenses, this moment could be your real turning point. Learn more on our website.
This blog post is intended for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have serious eye-related concerns, please consult an ophthalmologist.
