What is the impact of digital device use on the eye?
Digital device use can take a toll on anyone’s eyes, ranging from fatigue and strain to dryness and blurry vision. Using digital devices can decrease a person’s blink rate, contributing to dryness and discomfort.1 That, combined with lack of regular breaks, improper screen distance, and other factors can all lead to digital eye fatigue. While many people report symptoms associated with screen-time use on their eyes, they may not always use the same terminology to describe what they are feeling.
People report the fatigue they feel after staring at digital screens in different ways*:
- • Tired eyes
- • Dryness in eyes
- • Burning
- • Eye irritation
- • Soreness in eyes
- • Eye strain or pain
- • Blurry/double vision
- • Headaches
- • Tearing/watery eyes
- • Text moving/floating
*All symptoms were self-reported findings from the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia only. Data on file.
The global concern of digital device use on the eye
Both contact lens wearers and non-wearers worry about how much they use digital devices
Globally, 19% of people who use vision correction and 18% of people who do not, express concern about the amount of time they spend looking at screens.
While concern among the 2 groups is essentially the same, concern among contact lens wearers is higher globally at 26%. The level of concern among contact lens wearers varies from country to country.
Contact lens wearers from Spain indicated more concern than the global average, while Germany reported little concern.
How are contact lens wearers coping with the discomfort from device use?
Coping strategies vary from country to country
 | In Japan, respondents are least likely to take a break (36%) and most likely to turn to eye drops (70%) to cope | |
 | The United Kingdom reported the highest rate of taking longer breaks (74%) as a way to cope, followed by Australia (72%) |
Among contact lens wearers who feel the effects of staring at screens, common coping strategies include:
 | Taking a break from the screens for a few minutes or longer | |
 | Looking away from the screen for a few seconds | |
 | Closing eyes for a few minutes | |
 | Putting drops in eyes |
Contact lens wearers are interested in finding a solution
Seeking ways to reduce eye tiredness with an ECP
Globally, nearly 4 out of 5 (78%) contact lens wearers are interested in exploring ways to reduce their eye tiredness with an ECP.
Percentage of contact lens wearers interested in seeking ways to reduce eye tiredness with an ECP
Global interest in exploring a solution to reduce eye tiredness and dryness among contact lens wearers is high, but discussing digital device use concerns with ECPs remains fairly low
20% of contact lens wearers actively look for knowledge on how to keep their eyes healthy
Only 14% of contact lens wearers report that they or their ECPs bring up digital device use during appointments