Eye Strain and Fatigue

Eye fatigue and tension can develop without you even noticing it. Due to rapid, technology-rich lifestyles, we all too often perform activities that strain the eyes and cause discomfort.

Eye Strain

• discomfort in the eyes
• blurred vision
• difficulty focusing far to near
• watery eyes
• dry eyes
• a poking sensation in the eyes
• headaches
• the sensation that cooperation of your eyes requires effort
• loss of 3D/stereo vision
• shoulder or neck pain
• sensitivity to light

Daily Activities That May Cause Eye Strain

• reading
• writing
• driving
• working with a computer
• playing video games
• wearing the wrong glasses or glasses that aren’t yours
• the onset of diseases

Spending too much time in front of any electronic screen is tiring for the eyes. Take precaution when using:

• computers
• mobile phones
• electronic tablets
• watching television
• e-readers

Avoiding Eye Fatigue

You can try the following remedies to relieve eye discomfort:

• using artificial tears
• warm compress on closed eyes
• when you have to work with a screen, take regular breaks
• blinking more
• using an air humidifier in dry indoor environments
• sleep – it helps to heal daily damage
• eye exercises

To reduce eye strain, try changing the way you work:

• take a break from your computer
• decrease screen time
• find the right location for your computer
• make sure the chair is the correct height for the keyboard
• minimise screen reflection and glare
• correct lighting – not too dim or too bright
• test different background colors for the screen
• increase font size

When to See an Optometrist?

If symptoms persist after changing your habits, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Persistent eye fatigue may indicate the need to:

• start wearing contact lenses or glasses
• updating the prescription for your glasses
• ask for information about glasses for work that are specially designed for a computer screen
• stop using several screens, especially if one of them is situated higher than the eyes
• receive a specialist’s evaluation and opinion