Overview

• A Journal of Eye Movement Research experiment found blink rates dropped 54–61% and inter-blink intervals increased 39–42% during one-hour smartphone use.
• Social media browsing caused more pronounced eye-strain markers than reading e-books or watching videos in the same study.
• Surveys and prior research indicate up to 90% of heavy screen users report symptoms such as dryness, blurred vision and headaches.
• Ophthalmologists recommend the 20-20-20 rule, ergonomic screen positioning, preservative-free lubricating drops and regular eye exams to ease digital fatigue.
• Clinicians warn that chronic dry eye and rising myopia—now over 40% prevalence in the U.S.—can compromise cataract and refractive surgery assessments and outcomes.