Phone Screen Causing Burning Eyes? Common Reasons And Tips To Manage

You may feel uncomfortable with screen time if your eyes burn after you've been looking at your phone for a long time. Some people may also experience redness, watering, blurred vision or a gritty sensation. These symptoms can happen after lengthy screen time periods, particularly if you don't take breaks during your screen time. 

Burning eyes after prolonged phone use are commonly associated with digital eye strain and dryness rather than permanent damage to the eyes. You may also experience redness, watering, blurred vision or a gritty sensation. The discomfort is not caused by screen brightness alone; reduced or incomplete blinking, contact lens use, dry air and pre-existing eye conditions can also contribute.

Why Do Your Eyes Burn After Using Your Phone?

“The burning is usually due to dry and tired eyes, not damage,” explains Dr Shibal Bhartiya, Clinical Director of Ophthalmology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram. The eyes work harder while using a screen and blink less, causing the surface of the eye to become dry and irritated. Digital eye strain may involve ocular surface symptoms, accommodation and vergence problems, and musculoskeletal symptoms. eyes burn after using phone screen

There is a very thin film of tears on the surface of your eyes which keeps them moist. Each blink of the eye covers the entire eye with tears. If you are on a cell phone, you blink less or you blink less fully. This means the tear film will fail to remain intact, leading to dryness, stinging and irritation.

Digital eye strain can result from both ocular surface dryness and visual focusing or binocular problems. Persistent burning should not automatically be attributed to screen use alone.

A 2022 Ophthalmol Ther review on digital eye strain identified dry eyes, watering, blurred vision and headaches among common symptoms. It also highlighted frequent blinking, regular breaks and better screen positioning as useful ways to reduce discomfort.

What Causes Burning Eyes During Screen Time?

In a 2021 Medicine (Baltimore) reviewresearchers looked at the link between smartphone use and dry eye disease. It concluded there was some evidence of link but only from 4 studies as the review had noted differences in the methodology. This doesn't necessarily indicate that using the phone for longer periods of time is the cause of dry eyes, but it does suggest that it can be a factor in dry eye symptoms. 

Is Blue Light Responsible For Burning Eyes?

The eye issues associated with screens are frequently attributed to blue light. But, there's limited evidence that blue light filtering glasses help digital eye strain. 

A Cochrane review analysed 17 studies involving 619 adults. It found that blue-light filtering lenses may make little or no difference to short-term eye strain compared with ordinary lenses. The evidence on sleep benefits was also uncertain.

“A lesser blink rate and longer focusing periods when looking at a phone are more pertinent causes of burning eyes when using a phone,” according to Dr Bhartiya. Late night use of the phone could have an impact on sleep, but it is not a blanket indictment of blue light. 

How Can You Stop Your Eyes From Burning?

Making a few simple adjustments to your screen use can help to ease digital eye strain.

• Apply the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
• Read more slowly: Slow down when reading or scrolling and try to think about blinking.Focus on your eyes while reading: Take time to focus on your eyes while reading and slowly and completely blink when reading or scrolling.
• Keep the phone at a comfortable distance: This distance varies depending on vision, but typically around 40 centimetres.
• Reduce brightness and enlarge text: Try to match the brightness of the screen to the surrounding, and enlarge text rather than squinting.
• Minimize glare: Do not reflect on windows or overhead lighting.
• Make sure to take adequate breaks: Set the phone to the side periodically and check out for a distance.
• Stay out of dry air: Don't sit in front of a fan or air conditioner vent.
• Ensure adequate sleep: Your eyes may feel more uncomfortable after prolonged screen use.

If it is still dry, consult an ophthalmologist or pharmacist to see if lubricating eye drops can be used. Don't use drops that are specifically advertised to get rid of redness frequently, since the drops may not solve the problem. 

For Children: 

• Screen filters are not a proven way to prevent eye damage or myopia in children.
• Encourage regular breaks, age-appropriate screen habits and adequate outdoor activity.
• Children with persistent headaches or visual difficulties should have an eye examination.

When Should You See An Eye Doctor?

If the burning is occasional and settles after a break from screen use, it may be related to dryness or digital eye strain. However, persistent or recurrent symptoms may indicate dry eye disease, allergies, eyelid gland dysfunction or an uncorrected vision problem.

If your eyes continue to burn even after you stop using your phone, or the symptoms keep returning, consult an ophthalmologist to identify the underlying cause.

Seek prompt medical attention if you experience:

• Persistent eye redness accompanied by pain or sensitivity to light.
• Blurred or reduced vision that does not clear after resting your eyes.
• Significant eyelid swelling, particularly with pain, fever or difficulty opening the eye.
• Eye pain, redness or discharge, especially if you wear contact lenses.
• Seek emergency ophthalmic assessment immediately if you experience:
• Sudden loss or significant deterioration of vision.

ALSO READ- Eyes Red After Swimming Or Showering? Doctors Explain What’s Irritating Them

Conclusion

If your eyes burn after using your phone, it's a sign that you should take a break from it, blink more or manage dryness. You can alleviate discomfort by making some adjustments to your screen use and avoiding dry air. But, don't neglect, if the burning is ongoing or eyes are hurt or vision changes. The eye exam can help determine the cause and proper treatment.