Screening tool · 2 min
Digital Eye Strain Assessment
10-question screen-use questionnaire to gauge digital eye strain symptoms.
What this test measures
A short, educational reflection on common screen-related eye symptoms — tiredness, dryness, blurry vision, headaches, focusing difficulty, and light sensitivity.
Why it matters
Long hours on computers, phones, and tablets can contribute to digital eye strain (also called computer vision syndrome). Recognising patterns early can lead to simple, effective changes.
Who may benefit
Anyone who works, studies, or relaxes on screens for several hours a day, wears contact lenses at the computer, or notices end-of-day eye fatigue.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only and does not replace a professional eye examination. Screen brightness, calibration, lighting and viewing distance all influence results. For an accurate assessment, request a comprehensive exam with Dr. Roxanna Gangi, your trusted Optometrist in Toronto and York Region.
How to take this test
- Answer 10 short questions about how often you notice each symptom.
- Be honest — there are no right or wrong answers.
- You'll see a general educational result at the end (not a diagnosis).
Take the test
- 1. How often do your eyes feel tired after using screens?
- 2. How often do you experience dry, burning, or irritated eyes during screen use?
- 3. How often does your vision become blurry after working on a computer or phone?
- 4. How often do you get headaches after extended screen time?
- 5. How often do you notice difficulty focusing when switching between near and far distances?
- 6. How often do you use screens for more than 4 hours per day?
- 7. How often do you forget to take visual breaks while working on screens?
- 8. How often do your eyes feel sensitive to light from screens?
- 9. How often do you wear contact lenses while using screens for long periods?
- 10. How often do symptoms continue even after resting your eyes?
Educational only. This does not diagnose eye disease or replace a comprehensive eye exam.
What Causes Digital Eye Strain?
Digital eye strain — sometimes called computer vision syndrome — usually has more than one cause. The most common include:
We blink less often when staring at screens, which lets the tear film evaporate and leaves eyes feeling dry, gritty, or burning.
Underlying dry eye disease is one of the most common causes of screen-related discomfort and blurry vision that comes and goes.
Even a small change in prescription can cause headaches, eye fatigue, and difficulty focusing during long computer or phone sessions.
Long hours in contact lenses — especially in dry indoor air — can worsen evaporation and end-of-day blur.
Bright overhead lights, sunlight on the screen, or working in a dim room with a bright monitor all increase visual stress.
Astigmatism makes lines and edges focus unevenly, which the eyes try to compensate for — often causing fatigue and headaches.
Difficulty switching focus between near and far, or keeping the two eyes aligned, can be unmasked by long hours of screen work.
Hours of continuous near work without breaks puts sustained demand on the focusing system, leading to fatigue and blur.
Patients in Toronto, Aurora, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Vaughan, and across York Region can book a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Roxanna Gangi through Pro Eye Exam to investigate the underlying cause.
How to Reduce Screen-Related Eye Strain
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Blink fully and often, especially during long sessions.
- Adjust screen brightness and contrast to match the room.
- Reduce glare from windows and overhead lights.
- Keep the screen slightly below eye level and about an arm's length away.
- Use proper task lighting — avoid working in a dark room with a bright monitor.
- Update your glasses prescription if it's been more than a year, or if symptoms change.
- Ask about dry eye treatment if dryness, burning, or grittiness persists.
- Book an eye exam if symptoms continue despite good screen habits.
This digital eye strain assessment is for educational purposes only. It does not diagnose eye disease, measure your prescription, or replace a comprehensive eye examination. If you experience sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, flashes of light, trauma, or urgent symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Frequently asked questions
Want a real, in-person assessment?
Online tools are a great starting point, but a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Roxanna Gangi can detect conditions that screen-based tests cannot — including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and early macular changes.