Eye strain, also known as eye fatigue, is a common condition that causes discomfort after prolonged use of your eyes. It’s not usually serious, but it can definitely make your eyes feel tired and sore.
Symptoms of Eye Strain
Sore, tired, burning or itching eyes: This is the most common symptom. Your eyes may feel heavy or achy.
Watery or dry eyes: Dry eyes can feel scratchy and irritated, while watery eyes may overflow.
Blurred or double vision: You may have difficulty focusing on objects, or they may appear duplicated.
Headache: Eye strain can often trigger headaches, particularly in the forehead area.
Sore neck, shoulders, or back: The muscles around your eyes can become tense, leading to discomfort in your head, neck, and shoulders.
Increased sensitivity to light: Bright lights or sunlight may seem uncomfortably glaring.
Difficulty concentrating: Eye strain can make it hard to focus on tasks that require visual attention.
Feeling like you can’t keep your eyes open: Your eyelids may feel heavy and tired.
Causes of Eye Strain:
Several factors can contribute to eye strain, including:
Digital device use: Staring at screens for extended periods is a major cause of eye strain. Computers, phones, tablets, and TVs all emit blue light, which can contribute to eye fatigue.
Reading without breaks: Focusing on close-up work for long periods without giving your eyes a rest can lead to strain.
Driving long distances: Focusing on the road for extended periods can cause eye fatigue.
Poor lighting: Both bright and dim lighting can strain your eyes.
Uncorrected vision problems: If you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism and don’t wear corrective lenses, your eyes will have to work harder to focus, leading to strain.
Environmental factors: Dry air, wind, and smoke can irritate your eyes and contribute to strain.
Preventing Eye Strain
The good news is that there are many things you can do to prevent eye strain:
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen for 20 seconds and focus on something 20 feet away.
Adjust screen brightness and contrast: Reduce the brightness of your screens and adjust the contrast for a comfortable viewing experience.
Use artificial tears: Lubricating eye drops can help relieve dry eyes.
Take breaks: Give your eyes a rest by looking away from screens and other visually demanding tasks for a few minutes every hour.
Get enough sleep: Fatigue can worsen eye strain symptoms.
Manage screen time: Limit the amount of time you spend staring at screens, especially before bed.
Optimize your workspace: Ensure proper lighting and positioning of your computer screen to minimize strain.
Schedule regular eye exams: Your eye doctor can check for underlying vision problems that may be contributing to eye strain.
By following these tips, you can keep your eyes feeling refreshed and prevent the discomfort of eye strain. If your symptoms are severe or don’t improve with lifestyle changes, consult Permeff Eye Care to rule out any underlying conditions.
