By taking breaks, adjusting your screen settings, and making sure your workspace is well-lit, you can reduce the strain on your eyes and maintain good eye health.
Eye strain is a set of uncomfortable symptoms that can develop when your eyes become overexerted. Generally, this problem goes away on its own when you take frequent breaks from working on something and stop overexerting yourself.
Symptoms of dry eye, blurred vision and headaches may occur. If you’re dealing with persistent eye strain, consult an eye doctor who can determine if there is an underlying health problem causing your symptoms.
What is Eye Strain?
Eyestrain is a common condition that affects many people who use their eyes for extended periods. This can happen when you engage in activities such as driving for long hours, reading, or staring at computer screens and other digital devices.
What Causes Eye Strain?
Eye strain occurs when your eyes become fatigued, sore, or achy from using them for extended periods of time. It can happen while reading, working on craft projects, or doing other activities that require intense focus.
It is usually not a serious condition and will go away on its own when your eyes have an opportunity to rest from intense activity. However, some people can experience symptoms for extended periods of time, including headaches and blurred vision.
Eye strain can be made worse by certain factors, such as your position and the contrast of letters on your screen. Furthermore, glare from outside sources makes reading harder.
Blinking while working on a computer can also have an effect on how well your eyes stay lubricated, helping them focus better. Furthermore, blinking helps spread nutrients throughout your eyeballs for healthy vision that feels comfortable throughout the day.
Symptoms
Eye strain can present with a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. These may include headaches, blurry vision, dryness or double vision.
Eyestrain may also be indicative of another underlying health issue such as dry eyes or glaucoma. In these instances, it’s best to consult an ophthalmologist.
Eye strain can usually be alleviated by taking breaks from screens and wearing correct prescription lenses. This usually provides immediate relief, lasting anywhere from minutes to hours.
Additionally, regular rest for your eyes can help avoid eye strain. This includes getting enough sleep and avoiding digital devices after dark.
Treatment
If you are suffering from persistent eye strain, there are a variety of treatments to help. Your eye doctor can assess your symptoms and decide the most effective course of action for you.
Some individuals require special eyewear to prevent eye strain, while others may require specialized devices or eye therapy to relieve symptoms. Your eye doctor will evaluate your vision health to rule out underlying conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
Eye strain often presents as dry eyes. Blinking or yawning will prompt your eyes to produce tears that moisten the eye area and help reduce symptoms of eye strain.
Another sign of eye strain are headaches and blurred vision. These effects usually subside once your eyes have had time to rest.
Prevention
Eye strain can make you feel tired and irritated, but usually does not lead to long-term damage to your eyes. It is commonly experienced by those who spend a lot of time using computers or reading material.
Thankfully, there are ways to reduce eye strain. One method is using anti-glare lenses which can filter glare from light-colored walls and reflective surfaces.
Another essential step is to provide adequate lighting in your work environment. This can be accomplished through curtains, blinds or adjusting the lighting in your office to keep eyes from getting overwhelmed by bright room illumination.
Sleeping well and eating nutritiously can reduce eye strain, while regular visits to the optometrist for glasses checks will ensure you’re wearing the correct prescription with current lenses still valid.
It’s also crucial to ensure your workspace is well-lit and that your screen is positioned correctly, so that you’re not craning your neck or straining your eyes.
Eye strain: How long can it last?
According to the American Optometric Association, the duration of eye strain can vary depending on its severity and accompanying symptoms. While eye strain typically doesn’t last for long and can go away within an hour of your last screen interaction, it may take a little longer for your symptoms to resolve if you experience other issues such as headache, dry eyes, neck or shoulder strain.
In some cases, eye strain can last from a few minutes to several hours after your last digital device interaction. If the root cause of eye strain is not addressed, it can persist for several days, leading to discomfort and decreased productivity.
It is important to take preventative measures such as taking regular breaks, adjusting screen brightness and position, and using artificial tears or eye drops to keep your eyes moisturized. Seeking professional help from an optometrist may also be necessary if you experience persistent eye strain or other eye-related symptoms.
How to Treat Eye Strain at Home: Tips and Techniques
If you’re experiencing eye strain, there are several ways to alleviate the symptoms at home. Here are some tips and techniques that can help:
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
One effective way to reduce eye strain is by following the 20-20-20 rule. This rule involves taking a break every 20 minutes to look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This can help relax your eye muscles and prevent eye fatigue.
Adjust Lighting
Another way to reduce eye strain is by adjusting the lighting in your environment. When reading or doing close work, try to position the light source behind you and direct the light onto your page or task.
If you’re reading at a desk, use a shaded light positioned in front of you to keep light from shining directly into your eyes.
Eye Exercises
Eye exercises can also help relieve eye strain. To do this, take occasional breaks from your work and rub your hands together to create warmth in your palms. Then, place the warm palms against your eyes for 30 seconds. This can help relax your eye muscles and improve blood flow.
Use Artificial Tears
Using over-the-counter artificial tears can also help prevent and relieve dry eyes, which can contribute to eye strain. Artificial tears can help keep your eyes lubricated and reduce irritation and discomfort.
Reduce Glare and Blue Light
Electronic devices emit blue light and can cause eye strain. To reduce the impact of blue light, use a screen protector that filters out blue light and reduces glare. This can help prevent eye fatigue and improve visual comfort.
Sunning
Sunning is a technique that involves closing your eyes and facing the sun. This can help relax your eyes and reduce eye strain. However, be careful not to look directly at the sun, as this can damage your eyes.
Consider Natural Products
Finally, some eyestrain symptoms may be relieved by natural products, such as bilberry extract and omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil. However, further study is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of these products.
Overall, there are several ways to treat eye strain at home. By incorporating these techniques into your routine, you can reduce the discomfort and fatigue associated with eye strain and improve your visual comfort.
Conclusion
In general, eye strain doesn’t last for long. Minor symptoms may be relieved within a few minutes or hours with a screen break or wearing accurate prescription lenses. However, it may take a few days to recover if you’re experiencing eye strain because of a sleep deficit.
If symptoms persist, it is important to see an optometrist. Eyestrain is a common condition that occurs when your eyes get tired from intense use, such as while driving long distances or staring at screens for extended periods of time.
