Eyestrain

Tired eyes, also known as eyestrain, happen when your eyes work too hard. This often happens when you spend a lot of time looking at screens, like your computer or phone, or driving for a long time.

Eyestrain is usually just a minor problem. It's like when you get a sore muscle after exercising. It's uncomfortable, but it usually goes away when you give your eyes a break. You can do this by resting your eyes, looking at something far away, or taking a short walk. However, sometimes, eyestrain symptoms might be a sign of a more serious eye problem that needs medical attention. If you're concerned, it's always best to see a doctor.

Eye strain can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. You might feel soreness, tiredness, a burning sensation, or itching in your eyes. Your eyes might be unusually watery or dry. Things might look blurry or you might see double. A headache is another common symptom. You could also experience pain or stiffness in your neck, shoulders, or back. Bright lights might feel extra harsh, a condition called photophobia. Concentrating on tasks can become difficult. Finally, you might feel like your eyes are heavy and you can't keep them open.

If these symptoms are bothering you and simple home remedies aren't helping, it's a good idea to see an eye doctor. They can help determine the cause of your eye strain and recommend appropriate treatment.

If simple at-home remedies aren't helping your eye strain, it's important to see an eye doctor. Taking care of your eyes is crucial, and a professional can properly diagnose the cause of your discomfort and recommend the best course of action. Don't hesitate to seek professional help if your eye strain persists or worsens.

Eye strain happens for many reasons. It's often caused by things we do every day.

Common causes of eye strain:

• Looking at screens: Spending a lot of time on computers, phones, tablets, and other digital devices can tire your eyes.
• Reading without breaks: Reading or focusing on something for a long time without taking breaks can strain your eyes. Think of it like working a muscle in your body – you need rest to avoid getting tired.
• Long periods of focus: Driving for a long time, or doing any activity that keeps your eyes focused on one thing for a prolonged period can cause eyestrain.
• Bright light and glare: Strong sunlight, harsh overhead lights, or glare from screens can make your eyes work harder.
• Poor lighting: Trying to see in very dim light forces your eyes to work extra hard.
• Underlying eye problems: Sometimes, eye strain is a sign of a bigger issue like dry eyes, an uneven shape of the eye (refractive error), or weak eye muscles.
• Stress and tiredness: When you're stressed or tired, your body, including your eyes, can feel the impact.
• Dry air: Air from fans, heaters, or air conditioners can dry out your eyes, leading to strain.

Digital eyestrain:

Spending a lot of time in front of computer screens is a major cause of eye strain, sometimes called computer vision syndrome or digital eyestrain. The more time you spend on screens each day, the more likely you are to get eye strain. People who use screens for two or more hours straight are at the highest risk.

Why are screens harder on the eyes than books?

Screens can be harder on your eyes than reading printed material for a few reasons:

• Less blinking: When you're looking at a screen, you often blink less. Blinking helps keep your eyes moist. If you don't blink enough, your eyes can dry out.
• Incorrect viewing distance and angle: Often, people sit too close to screens or have their heads at awkward angles while using them. This makes your eyes work harder.
• Screen glare and reflections: Glare or reflections on the screen can make it difficult to focus. This extra effort leads to strain.
• Poor contrast: If the text on a screen is hard to see against the background, your eyes have to work extra hard to focus.

Other factors that worsen eye strain:

• Screen glare: If the screen is too bright or reflective, your eyes have to adjust more, causing strain.
• Poor posture: Sitting improperly can strain your neck and shoulders, which can also affect your eyes.
• Poor workstation setup: If your computer is not set up properly, you might be straining your eyes more than necessary.
• Dry air: Dry air from air conditioning or fans can worsen dry eyes, which often leads to eyestrain.

Eye strain is a common problem that can be uncomfortable and make you feel tired. It doesn't usually cause lasting harm, but it can make it harder to focus on things. Eye strain can feel annoying and make concentrating difficult. Basically, it's a nuisance, not a serious health concern.

When you see an eye doctor, they'll want to know what's causing your eye problems. Part of the visit will likely involve a thorough eye exam, which might include a vision test.