Workers who spend hours staring at their computer screens can wind up with burning, itching or watery eyes.
Jonathan Ormsby is senior manager, U.S. Managed Care, Transitions Optical
This article was conducted as a paid partnership between Transitions Optical and Ragan Communications.
You’ve probably been staring at your computer screen for a minute now.When did you last blink?
It’s probably been longer than you think.
Maybe take a second now to do that. Make sure you close your eyes all the way when you do.
Do you notice your eyes feeling strained and uncomfortable? Maybe even a dull headache?
“When we are in front of screens, we tend to blink 66% less than we’re supposed to. Therefore, the ocular surface is dry,” explained Dr. Angelica Cifuentes[i], a board-certified optometric physician practicing in Miami, Florida.
Making the situation even trickier, humans also tend to forget to close their eyes completely to blink when staring at a screen. So each blink is a little less effective.
This is often a problem in the workplace, as workers who spend hours staring at their computer screens can wind up with burning, itching or watery eyes. And computers aren’t the only screens we encounter.
“What I explain to patients is, yes, you are working in front of a computer, but you are also forgetting your other screens throughout the day,” said Dr. Cifuentes. “When we drive cars, there’s a screen in our car. You have your phone. You have your TV. You have your computer. You have your laptop. You have your iPad. There are so many things.”
This can become a serious problem in the workplace. More than half of employees spend more than six hours a day in front of screens during their workday, according to the 2025 Transitions Workplace Wellness Survey[ii] of 1,000 full-time U.S. office professionals. By the end of the day, 92% report light sensitivity, tired or dry eyes, headaches or blurry vision. Nearly three-quarters, 71%, say eye fatigue or light sensitivity affects their performance, while 42% report losing productivity because of light sensitivity.
The effects show up in several ways: 49% report a struggle to focus, 42% feel less productive or irritated and 41% experience workflow disruptions because they need to rest their eyes. Yet only 3 in 10 employees say eye health is regularly discussed at work.
Here are some ways Dr. Cifuentes recommends tackling dry eye and light sensitivity in the workplace to improve morale, productivity and overall well-being:
- Ensure employees have access to a high-quality vision plan so they have access to updated prescription lenses, contacts and regular checkups.
- Employers can make a real difference by creating workspaces that are easier on employees’ eyes. That can start with something as simple as positioning computer screens slightly below eye level.
- Good lighting matters, too. Employees should have enough light to work comfortably without spending long stretches in dim environments.
- Communications can also remind employees to blink fully during screen use.
- The 20-20-20 rule is another easy habit to promote: After 20 minutes at a computer, employees should look 20 feet away and blink for 20 seconds.
- Allowing regular screen breaks can help employees address discomfort before it begins to affect their focus or productivity.
Dr. Cifuentes says that Transitions® lenses can also help reduce glare and protect workers’ eyes from bright lighting and UV rays, especially for workers who work both inside and outside. She shared the story of a young paralegal who spent 17 hours each day in front of a computer. Her eyes were dry and irritated, especially after she came back to the office after walking in the bright Florida sunshine on her lunch breaks.
In addition to recommending the 20-20-20 blinks and artificial tears, Dr. Cifuentes also turned to Transitions lenses to help the patient manage changing light conditions and improve her visual comfort. She told the woman: “‘Let’s put Transitions lenses on because she’s going in and out of the office, and I have seen a little bit of that UV damage in the eyes. Let’s use Transitions lenses and apply good anti-glare on your glasses.’ She was completely happy to hear that, if she did have an issue, the issue could be improved.”
This issue can also impact employees’ children, who also love their screen time. Access to a high-quality vision care plan can help give their parents the peace of mind that their children are also receiving quality vision care.
“Unfortunately, nowadays we’re in strain all the time,” said Dr. Cifuentes. “But luckily, there are other tools available that we have in our hands that can help our patients in many ways.”
Communicators have an important role to play in helping employees protect both their vision health and workplace performance. By educating employees about the benefits of vision coverage and encouraging preventive eye care, communicators can help employees make informed healthcare decisions, maximize their benefits and support long-term productivity and well-being.
That education can be simple but effective. During open enrollment and throughout the year, communicators can encourage employees to think about how vision benefits may help not only themselves but also their family members. They can remind employees to schedule an annual eye exam, explain coverage options for glasses and contact lenses and spotlight specific benefits they may not know are available. This type of communication is especially valuable given that 48% of employees say an annual overview of their vision benefits from their employer could help them maintain better eye health at workii. Communicators can also highlight innovations such as Transitions® GEN S
lenses, which are available through many major vision care plans and can help employees better manage changing light conditions throughout the workday.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have concerns about your vision or eye health, please consult your eye care professional or healthcare provider.
[i] Dr. Angelica Cifuentes is a paid consultant/speaker for Transitions Optical. The opinions expressed in this article are her own.
[ii] The 2025 Transitions Workplace Wellness Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 nationally representative US office professionals, employed full-time, between August 13th and August 19th, 2025, using an email invitation and an online survey.
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