Brain & Nervous System Headaches Causes & Risk Factors Computer Screen Headaches Too much time in front of a monitor can be a trigger By Colleen Doherty, MD Updated on October 22, 2022 Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Eyestrain Excess Illumination Poor Posture Other Possible Causes Frequently Asked Questions Whether you're prone to headaches or not, spending a lot of time in front of your computer—or any screen, for that matter—can trigger a computer screen headache. This can be due to the eye fatigue that comes with focusing on something at such a short distance, excess illumination, and even poor posture. A computer screen headache can be dull or sharp. It is just one of the symptoms of computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain. Other symptoms include blurry vision and dry eye. While reducing your screen time is the best way to combat a computer screen headache, that may not always be possible. There are, however, things you can do to reduce your risk of one. Learn more about how computer, tablet, and other screens can trigger a headache and what to do about it. PeopleImages / istock Eyestrain While you might think the act of focusing on a screen is a straightforward process, it's not as simple as it sounds. The distance between the front of a monitor and our eyes is called the working distance. Interestingly, our eyes actually want to relax at a point that's farther away from the screen. We call that location the resting point of accommodation (RPA). In order to see what's on the computer screen, the brain has to direct our eye muscles to constantly readjust focus between the RPA and the front of the screen. This "struggle" between where our eyes want to focus and where they should be focused can lead to eyestrain and eye fatigue, both of which can trigger a headache. Reducing Computer-Related Eyestrain Most cases of computer-related eyestrain do not require medical intervention but can instead be alleviated by adopting new prevention practices. To reduce computer screen-related eyestrain, follow the "20-20-20 rule" endorsed by the American Optometric Society. Every 20 minutes, simply stop and take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away. Moreover, it's a good idea to rest your eyes completely for 15 minutes after two hours of continuous computer use. If you're referring to a text on paper while working at the computer, don't put the paper down next to your keyboard. Prop the page up next to your screen so that there is less distance for your eyes to travel between the paper and monitor, less refocusing, and fewer chances for eyestrain. Obtain regular eye care. While you may not need eyeglasses for everyday activities, you can benefit from wearing prescription glasses when using your computer. Excess Illumination Computer-related headaches can also be triggered by working in a bright environment. The lighting in many office spaces includes sun-filled windows, overhead fluorescent lights, and desk lamps. In addition, you may not only be dealing with the glare from your computer but also the glare from every other computer in the room. This kind of excessive brightness or over-illumination can trigger several types of headaches, including migraines. Addressing Illumination Problems You may find that reducing the illumination can make a big difference in the frequency of your headaches: Turn down the overhead lights to reduce glare.Use drapes on windows and lower wattage light bulbs.If you're working on an older-style CRT monitor, a glare filter that attaches to the front of your screen may also help. If your workplace doesn't provide adjustable lighting, particularly for overhead fluorescents, adjust the brightness and contrast settings on your computer monitor. Poor Posture If you find yourself hunched over or leaning into your computer screen when a headache occurs, the problem might be your posture. Poor cervical neck curvature is a common observation in computer-users who complain of headaches. The type of headache is known as a cervicogenic headache. It could be located at the base of the skull and come up one side of the head. Improving Poor Posture There are things you can do to improve your posture, both in terms of the position of your furniture and the way you consciously correct bad habits. To improve your posture, position your keyboard and computer so that your head is not tilted and your spine is neutral. The center of the screen should be about four to five inches below eye level and 20 to 28 inches from the eye. A few more tips: Check the position of your shoulders while typing and try to relax them. Adjust your monitor angle and height so that you are not over-engaging your neck muscles to see.Do not rest your wrists on the keyboard when typing.Be certain your desk chair is well padded and comfortable. Adjust the height of the chair so your feet rest flat on the floor. Lastly, if your desk chair has arms, be sure they actually support your arms while you are typing. Other Possible Causes Many people will claim that radiation or cathode rays are the cause of computer screen-related headaches, but neither actually applies. Radiation levels from computers are no more or less different than those from your flat-screen TV and cathode rays essentially went out with vacuum tube TVs of yore. Still, there are things to consider. Electromagnetic Fields Research is emerging that exposure to low radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) through the use of cell phones and Wi-Fi may be linked to more frequent and more severe migraine headaches. Overall, the precise link between EMF and migraines is unclear. Still, restricting unnecessary exposure to RF-EMF sources is a reasonable goal, especially if you link the exposure to more severe headaches. Patterns and Images Interestingly, there is no strong evidence that the actual images on a computer screen trigger headaches. While some patterns on a screen (such as bright lights on a dark background, flashing shapes, or specific line patterns) may trigger headaches in a small percentage of people with neurological deficits, the typical patterns we look at on the computer screen are not usually responsible. If you suspect that screen patterns are triggering your headaches, speak with your healthcare provider as this may be a sign of photosensitive epilepsy. Other Explanations Before you blame your headaches entirely on working at the computer, keep in mind that other things in your environment that coincide with computer use may actually be triggering your headaches. Ask yourself: Is the material that you are producing on the computer stress-inducing?Are you more likely to consume caffeine while at the computer?Is your diet irregular when you're doing computer work?Are you less active and taking infrequent breaks from your work when typing? Screen Time Exposure and Migraines A Word From Verywell While your computer may be a trigger for your headaches, it's important to consult with your healthcare provider regarding your headache diagnosis. This way you can be sure you are getting the proper care. Common Headache Triggers Frequently Asked Questions What do screen headaches feel like? It can vary. It might feel like a sharp pain or a dull ache. If a migraine is triggered, you may feel severe throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head. Poor posture when using a screen may cause a headache that starts at the base of the skull and goes up one side of the head. How long do screen headaches last? It can vary between a few hours to several days. Call your healthcare provider if you have a headache that isn't responding to over-the-counter pain medications or is interfering with daily activities. Do blue light glasses stop screen headaches? Research shows little evidence that blue light glasses can reduce eye strain and screen headaches. While a 2021 study found blue-blocking lenses had no benefit for eye strain, there were no adverse effects reported from wearing them. Headaches Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Email Address Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cedars Sinai. Computer Vision Syndrome. American Optometric Society. Computer vision syndrome. 2019. Weber K. Is too much screen time the cause of your headache? Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Mohammadianinejad SE, Babaei M, Nazari P. The effects of exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields in the treatment of migraine headache: a cohort study. Electron Physician. 2016;8(12):3445-3449. doi:10.19082/3445 Hoffmann J, Recober A. Migraine and triggers: post hoc ergo propter hoc?. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013;17(10):370. doi:10.1007/s11916-013-0370-7 Singh S, Downie L, Anderson A. Do blue-blocking lenses reduce eye strain from extended screen time? A Double-Masked Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;226:243-251. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.010 Additional Reading Rosenfield, M. Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2011 Sep;31(5):502-15. doi:10.1111/j.1475-1313.2011.00834.x By Colleen Doherty, MD Dr. Doherty is a board-certified internist and writer living with multiple sclerosis. She is based in Chicago. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit