Dry eyes from computer use — a blink reminder can help

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Getting dry eyes from computer use is unfortunately a pretty common experience. The problem is that when we concentrate on our computer screens we often forget to blink (or blink incompletely)—that can cause dryness and discomfort because blinking is essential for stimulating tear production. One simple solution is to use a blink reminder app, like the ones you’ll read about below.

a young woman with her hands over her dry eyes who is sitting in front of a laptop

But first, have you ever wondered…

How much does blinking reduce during computer use?

You might be shocked when you find out the answer. Get this…

One study showed that reading on a screen was associated with a drastic decline in the average blink rate: the number of blinks per minute dropped from 18.6 down to only 3.6!1 Other researchers found a similar steep decline in blinking: under relaxed conditions the average blinking rate was 22 blinks per minute, but the average plunged to only 7 blinks per minute when they were reading text on a screen.2

With a potential decrease in blinking of 68–80%, it’s no wonder that many people experience dry eyes from computer use. Another factor that comes into play is the level of concentration your task requires, as tasks that require increased concentration are also associated with a lower blink rate.3

Fortunately, there’s a solution to this problem. You can use a blink reminder app to to help you say goodbye to dry eyes and hello to healthy eyes, for a more comfortable and productive workday.

An illustration of a dry eye that's red and irritated-looking beside an illustration of a healthy eye. Both eyes are blue.

Prevent dry eyes from computer use with a program that reminds you to blink

This is an easy way to help your eyes stay hydrated and refreshed while using the computer, and the good news is that there are options available for both Mac and Windows users.

Blinking reminder app for MacOS

If you have MacOS Ventura 13 or higher, you can try my app to help you remember to blink. You may be wondering what business a medical writer has creating an app. Well, it was born out of necessity. For years I repurposed another app as a blink reminder. But, an update removed the functionality that I needed. So, I set out to create my own. I have severe dry eyes and work on a computer all day, so for me, an app like this is a necessity.

What makes my app different

  1. It provides you with a full-screen reminder to blink, so you notice it regardless of where your attention is focused on the screen. Other apps tend to use an icon that’ll appear on your screen. If your focus isn’t on the exact location where the icon appears, it’s easy to overlook it and forget to blink. My full-screen blink reminder solves that issue.
  2. You can change the color of this blink reminder as often as needed so your brain doesn’t tune it out. A problem I ran into with other blink reminder apps is that the reminders always looked the same, so my brain learned to ignore them, much the way one might learn to “tune out” the hum of an air conditioning unit. My app solves this problem because I can change the color and opacity of the blink reminder as often as needed to ensure my brain continues to notice it.
  3. It does not require the use of your camera. If having your camera watch you to track your blinks makes you uncomfortable, no worries because your camera is not required to use this app.

You can read more about my app here, and you can get it through the Mac App store to try it out.

A screenshot of a blink reminder app for MacOS

A blinking reminder app for both Windows or Mac

Another app that I’ve tried in the past is this one. It works on MacOS Sierra 10.12 64-bit, and Windows 7 64-bit or higher. It’s not full screen and you can’t change the appearance of the reminder. But it’s worth a try if your operating system is older or if you want the option of using your webcam to monitor your blink rate.

Will a blink reminder app prevent dry eyes from computer use?

In my experience, the answer is a resounding yes. But there’s a catch. If your brain is very efficient at tuning out repetitive things that it deems unimportant, it may be necessary to actively remind yourself to take note of your blink reminder and act on it. But once you get good at it—and my hope is that you will with practice—a blink reminder can help keep your eyes happy. So go ahead and give it a try! Your peepers will thank you!

smiling man with eyes that aren't dry, sitting in front of a laptop with a cup of coffee - there's a rust-colored wall behind him

References

  1. Hunter L, et al. Effect of visual display unit use on blink rate and tear stability. Optometry and Vision Science. 1991;68(11):888-892. DOI: 10.1097/00006324-199111000-00010
  2. Tsubota K, Nakamori K. Dry eyes and video display terminals. New England Journal of Medicine. 1993 Feb 25;328(8):584. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199302253280880%17
  3. Wilkinson, J. Blinking and Tear Break-Up During Four Visual Tasks. Optometry and Vision Science. 2009;86(2):E106-E114. DOI: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e318194e962