Well, I think most of us know by now that close work (reading, computer, etc) = blinking less frequently = more symptoms. But this study shows the specific slowdown in reading that happens to people with dry eye. Thinking about work performance, etc, these things matter.

Sustained Gazing Causes Measurable Decline in Visual Function of Patients with Dry Eye. Akpek EK, Karakus S, Ramulu PY, Mathews PM.Am J Ophthalmol. 2019 Oct 10. pii: S0002-9394(19)30498-2.

PURPOSE:
To assess the effects of sustained gazing on visual function of dry eye patients.
DESIGN:
Prospective, comparative before-and-after study METHODS: 176 patients with dry eye and 33 controls aged ≥50 years were included. Dry eye symptomatology along and clinical parameters were assessed. Out-loud reading speed was measured using the International Reading Speed Test (IReST) as words per minute (wpm). Reading speed was repeated using different IReST excerpt following 30 minute silent reading.
RESULTS:
At baseline, there were no differences between dry eye patients versus controls with respect to reading speed (172 versus 180 wpm, P = 0.21) or the time to read the excerpt (33 versus 30 seconds, P = 0.17). After silent reading, the dry eye patients had decrease in the reading speed and increase in the length of time to read the passage compared to baseline (161 versus 172 wpm, P = 0.002 and 38 versus 33 seconds, P<0.001, respectively). The controls did not show significant difference for either parameter. There was significant difference with respect to both parameters between the dry eye and control groups after sustained gazing (161 versus 188 wpm, P = 0.006, and 38 versus 31 seconds, P = 0.003). Each 1-point increase in baseline corneal staining score (0-6) led to 5 wpm reduction in reading speed (95% CI= -8 to -1, P =0.01).
CONCLUSIONS:
Sustained gazing, such as silent reading, has measurable negative impact on visual performance of dry eye patients. Corneal staining represents a clinical parameter relevant to visual function.