Eyes, breaks and early warning signs

DSE work can cause tired eyes, headaches and mental fatigue as well as back and wrist discomfort. Glare, poor lighting, small text and long uninterrupted periods at a screen increase the risk.

Short changes of activity are often effective. Looking away, standing up, stretching, switching tasks or altering posture before discomfort appears will help prevent symptoms from developing.

DSE use does not cause permanent eye damage, but it can produce eye fatigue, discomfort and headaches, and can make existing vision problems more noticeable. Staff who are DSE users should follow local arrangements for eye tests.

Early signs to notice

• Tired or dry eyes.
• Headaches during or after screen work.
• Neck or shoulder stiffness.
• Wrist, hand or forearm ache.
• Fatigue that matches screen-heavy work.

Eye strain and headaches are early warnings that the task or the workstation setup needs attention.