People who use computers and look at digital screens or monitors regularly may experience eyestrain. It can last for minutes or hours, but can possibly become more persistent over days and weeks.

Computer vision syndrome, or digital eyestrain, can cause pain and discomfort for a varying amount of time, depending on many factors, including how severe your eyestrain may be.

Generally, people without eye conditions or longer stretches of strain on their eyes may experience symptoms for a few minutes or hours, but it can become more persistent and may last days or even weeks in more severe situations.

As many as 90% of people who use digital devices may sometimes experience symptoms of eyestrain to different degrees. But you can make small changes to help prevent eyestrain, like taking a break from screen time or improving lighting at your workstation.

In general, eyestrain doesn’t last long.

It may go away within an hour of taking a break, or it may last longer, depending on how long you’ve been looking at a screen.

If you experience other symptoms, such as headache, dry eyes, and neck or shoulder pain, it can take longer for eyestrain to disappear.

The exact amount of time or extent of eyestrain discomfort may depend on other factors, including:

Pain and irritation when you try to focus are the main symptoms of eyestrain, but others may also include:

  • headache
  • burning sensation in the eyes
  • blurry vision
  • neck stiffness or pain
  • shoulder pain

No, eyestrain does not typically cause long-term damage to your vision.

However, longer stretches of eyestrain can signal more possible concern, especially if that eyestrain is accompanied by other symptoms and if you’re already living with another eye condition.

Some research suggests that older adults with eyestrain may develop dry eyes more frequently than those without eyestrain.

When to seek medical care

If you’re experiencing significant discomfort or if you suspect that an underlying condition is making your symptoms worse, you should make an appointment with an eye doctor.

Eyestrain that happens more than 2 or 3 times per week or that is impacting your daily work and life activities is a reason to get professional help. Your doctor may have some strategies or treatments that can help manage your symptoms.

Digital eyestrain can cause temporary pain, burning, and some other symptoms.

These may last minutes or hours, depending on how much time you’ve been looking at a screen without a break and other factors.

If you have persistent eyestrain, it might not be related to screen time after all but to an underlying medical or eye health issue. Consult an eye doctor if frequent eyestrain is affecting your ability to perform your daily activities.