Spokane (509) 747-6581 Chewelah (509)935-2020

Digital Eye Strain Solutions in Eastern Washington

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Free Yourself From Eye Fatigue

Digital eye strain is an irritating condition that stems from the overuse of laptops, tablets, smartphones, and televisions. It is often characterized by fatigue or headaches following extended sessions staring at screens.

A comprehensive eye exam is an effective way to find out if you suffer from digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome. Our optometrists can diagnose this condition and manage it with prescribed treatments and strategies.

Assess Your Eye Strain

Causes & Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain

We have important muscles in our eyes that allow us to focus at different distances. When reading from a digital screen or TV, our eye muscles have to work hard for an extended period. This eventually causes strain in the muscles, which we feel as discomfort around the eye.

An incorrect or outdated prescription can lead to squinting and straining to see the screens in front of you. Make sure that your glasses or contacts are up-to-date with annual eye exams.

Try to notice a pattern if your vision feels strained throughout the week. Your discomfort could be related to overexposure to screens. The following symptoms can characterize digital eye strain:

  • Dry eyes
  • Headaches
  • Eye fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Neck pain

Preventative Care Techniques

An eye exam with The Eye Care Team is the first step to relieving your eyes of computer vision syndrome. These methods may reduce eye fatigue and other symptoms associated with digital eye strain. If vision discomfort is constant or increasing, schedule an appointment right away.

The 20-20-20 rule is a simple way to give your eyes a break from digital screens while you’re working or viewing over long periods. Follow this advice consistently and you’ll feel the difference.

Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.

Great posture isn’t only great for your back! Your eyes will notice a difference when you maintain proper posture sitting at a desk. Your computer screen should be at eye level, within an arm’s length (between 16 to 30 inches). Find a desk about 30 inches tall and set your computer screen to an 80-degree angle.

Keep your chair height about 16 to 20 inches off the ground. If it feels uncomfortable to sit up straight, try using a footrest. Difficulty seeing your screen with proper posture is a strong indication that you need an eye exam.

Most cell phones and tablets have a dark mode or night setting that limits the blue light coming from the display. These features can typically be set to turn on at a particular hour of the day or automatically react to environmental lighting on some devices.

Learn how to use dark mode on Apple devices here.

Learn how to use night mode on Android devices here.

Use Blue Light Blocking Eyewear

Most digital screens are backlit, which means they emit blue light waves. Overexposure to this type of light wave has been shown to interrupt sleeping patterns and negatively affect health. Even if you don’t use prescription eyewear, wearing computer glasses during the workday can help reduce the impact of digital eye strain.

At The Eye Care Team, we can fit blue light blocking lenses to almost any eyeglass frame. If you are suffering from digital eye strain, let us take a look at your eyes and show your around our optical gallery to find glasses that relieve your daily eye stress.

Browse Our Eyeglasses

Our Locations

Spokane

Our practice is located in Downtown Spokane, right across the street from the new Davenport Grand Hotel and Auntie’s Bookstore. We are just a couple of blocks east of Riverfront Park Square.

Contact Information

Address

126 N. Washington Street
Spokane, WA 99201

Hours

Monday
8 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday
8 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday
8 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Book Appointment in Spokane

Chewelah

You can access our practice off N Park St, just north of E Webster Ave. We are located across from Safeway and have lots of parking available right in front of our office.

Contact Information

Address

306 N Park St.
Chewelah, WA 99109

Hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
9 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday
9 AM – 5 PM
Thursday
9 AM – 5 PM
Friday
9 AM – 12 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Book An Appointment in Chewelah

You can access our practice off N Park St, just north of E Webster Ave. We are located across from Safeway and have lots of parking available right in front of our office.

Contact Information

Address

306 N Park St.
Chewelah, WA 99109

Hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
9 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday
9 AM – 5 PM
Thursday
9 AM – 5 PM
Friday
9 AM – 12 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Book An Appointment in Chewelah

Our practice is located in Downtown Spokane, right across the street from the new Davenport Grand Hotel and Auntie’s Bookstore. We are just a couple of blocks east of Riverfront Park Square.

Contact Information

Address

126 N. Washington Street
Spokane, WA 99201

Hours

Monday
8 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday
8 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday
8 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Book Appointment in Spokane

Our Services

Comprehensive Eye Exams

Diabetic Eye Exams

Contact Lens Exams, Fittings & Brands

Emergency Eye Care

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