How to reduce eye strain from screens

Tired, dry or aching eyes after a long day at a screen are common. The usual causes are simple: we stare at one distance for hours, we blink less while concentrating, and the screen is often too close, too bright or reflecting a window. Small changes to habits and setup help most people. If symptoms continue, or your vision changes, see an optometrist.

Practical habits and setup changes, then apps that remind you to rest your eyes, with a section for eye care apps rising by visits on the Censuus ranking. Not medical advice. Eye exercises rest tired eyes; they do not correct short- or long-sightedness.

Eye care apps rising by visits and sponsorship on Censuus

A younger app from an independent developer:

Ranked by visit traffic and sponsorship on Censuus, not editorial opinion. The list changes as new apps appear and gain traffic.

Look away, regularly

Eyes focused at one close distance for hours get tired. Every so often, look out of a window or across the room at something far away, and let your eyes relax for a moment. Short, frequent breaks help more than one long one, and a reminder app makes them happen when you are absorbed.

Blink more than you think

People blink less while concentrating on a screen, which dries the eyes. During breaks, close your eyes gently or blink slowly a few times. If dryness is persistent, ask a pharmacist or optometrist about eye drops.

Fix the setup

Put the screen about an arm’s length away with the top at or slightly below eye level. Set brightness to match the room, increase text size rather than leaning in, and position the screen so a window is neither directly behind it nor reflected in it.

Know when to get checked

Headaches, blurred vision or strain that does not improve with breaks are reasons for an eye test; an out-of-date prescription is a common cause. Sudden changes in vision need urgent attention. For apps that guide short eye breaks, see eye exercise apps.

Compared from each developer’s own store description.
Change	What you do	Why
Distance breaks	regularly look at something far away for a moment	relaxes the focusing muscles
Blink on purpose	a few slow, full blinks during breaks	concentration reduces blinking
Screen position	about an arm’s length away, top at or below eye level	less effort to focus
Brightness and glare	match the room, avoid windows behind or in front	less squinting
Check your glasses	an eye test if it has been a while	an old prescription strains the eyes

Frequently asked questions

How do I reduce eye strain from screens?

Take regular breaks to look at something far away, blink fully, keep the screen at arm’s length with the top at or below eye level, reduce glare and keep your glasses prescription current.

Do eye exercises improve eyesight?

No. They can rest tired eyes but do not correct short- or long-sightedness. See an optometrist for vision changes.

When should I see an optometrist about eye strain?

If strain, headaches or blurred vision continue despite breaks, or if your vision changes suddenly.