Screen time surges for desk workers, straining eyes and productivity

• Key Insight: Learn how escalating screen exposure is reshaping employer health and benefits strategies.
• What's at Stake: Rising digital eye strain threatens productivity, talent retention and benefit cost structures.
• Supporting Data: Desk workers average 99.2 hours of screen time per week.
  Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

A new survey shows desk workers spend over 90% of their waking hours staring at screens, and the effects on health and productivity are mounting.

The third annual Workplace Vision Health Report found that desk workers now average 99.2 hours of screen time per week, up from 97 hours last year. Most (71%) say screen-related eye strain is affecting their performance, with nearly a full day of productivity lost each week. 

"With so many employers offering remote or hybrid working arrangements and the increase in exposure to digital devices across all facets of our lives, screen time continues to increase for many individuals — even if they don't work behind a desk," says Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon, VSP Vision Care senior vice president of clinical and medical affairs. "Many patients are telling their optometrists that they are struggling with the impacts of increased screen time."

VSP partnered with research firm Workplace Intelligence to conduct the survey, which polled more than 800 HR and benefit leaders as well as 1,200 full-time employees. 

Read more: Addicted to screens? Time for a digital detox

Most employers are aware of the growing problem, and 87% of HR leaders admit their company should do more to help employees protect their eyes. But only around a third of workers say their company encourages eye breaks or provides education about how to minimize visual discomfort. 

Sheety-Pilon discusses the toll screen time is taking on workers' eyes, and how benefit leaders can help employees manage and avoid eye strain. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What are the long-term health risks associated with excessive screen exposure?Excessive screen time can have significant impacts on physical health, such as eye strain and neck, shoulder and back pain, as well as mental health. When it comes to eye health, the long-term effects are similar to the short-term symptoms but may increase as time goes on and the muscles in the eyes continue to be strained. 

Vision may eventually blur more quickly, dry eyes may persist hours after screen time is complete, and headaches may happen more frequently. As dry eye symptoms continue, it can have an impact on quality of life if they become moderate to severe with prolonged screen use. Now, with many people spending more than 100 hours a week on screens, we can only imagine the impacts to our eyes may intensify.

What steps can benefit leaders pass on to workers to reduce digital eye strain in their daily routines?
Be sure you are wearing the correct prescription for the task at hand. I often see patients straining simply because their glasses or contacts are outdated. Updating a prescription or making adjustments to their current glasses or contacts can make a tremendous difference and is the best place to start.

Adjust your screen to a more comfortable distance. Moving a computer to arm's length or holding a phone farther away can help ease visual fatigue.

Adjust your device's brightness or contrast to reduce glare. Digital devices, such as computers and smartphones, emit the full spectrum of light. Making simple adjustments to your device's brightness setting and enhancing its contrast are simple ways to help combat strain and enhance comfort. 

Talk to your eye doctor about lens options like blue‑light–filtering technology or anti‑reflective coatings. These can help soften glare, reduce harsh brightness and support visual comfort — especially for people spending long hours on screens.

Keep your eyes moist and hydrated. Artificial tears or rewetting drops are great ways to relieve dryness. Talk to your eye doctor about which solution is best for you. 

Take frequent breaks. Looking away from the screen and focusing on something in the distance for even just a handful of seconds a couple of times each hour can go a long way. Apps and timers can help build that habit.

Get an annual eye exam. In addition to providing personalized recommendations for managing screen‑related visual discomfort and correcting an underlying refractive error, eye doctors can identify if something more serious is going on with your vision and eye health, as well as detect more than 270 health conditions during an eye exam.  

It's important to understand that implementing these small, but significant, behaviors can add up and offer relief to employees. I do want to note that it's the responsibility of both employers and employees to participate in the steps that will promote good eye health and vision.

What specific benefits strategies can HR leaders implement to reduce digital eye strain among employees?
The key is to ensure employees have access to comprehensive vision benefits that include coverage for eye exams, contact lenses, and glasses — and it's important to strike the right balance between quality benefit offerings and affordability. According to survey respondents, lower costs, a better selection of plan options, and a larger network are the top three improvements both HR leaders and employees want. 

However, there is a gap in terms of benefit usage. While 94% of employees and 98% of HR leaders believe vision care is as important as other forms of healthcare, more than a third are not getting annual eye exams.Part of the reason may be that employees find their current vision benefits structure confusing and difficult to navigate. Other reasons employees may not be taking advantage of their full vision benefits package include the belief that going to an eye doctor every few years is enough, they have good vision, they're too busy, or it's too expensive. Knowing all this, communication by HR leaders to employees is critical.