Sitting on your desk and working on your computer makes you feel tired or stingy feelings in your eyes. The discomfort that you experience is most likely eye strain which is common among most adults. Eye strain occurs when you use your eyes for an extended period that causes discomfort, pain, and fatigue.
You may be wondering what are the activities that can strain your eyes. Night driving, writing, reading are some activities that can cause eye strain. Exposing your eyes to bright lights such as smartphones, computers, tablet screens, and television screens can also strain your eyes.
People who perform activities that can cause strain to the eyes are warned to move their eyes from time to time. The risk of developing eye strain becomes higher the longer you stare at the screen or go without moving your eyes around.
Individuals who attend their classes and work online are more likely to strain their eyes. Some studies suggest that people who use digital devices blink about half than usual in a minute. As a result of this, around 50 to 90% of people who work using electronics will develop eyestrain.
Symptoms of Eye Strain
If you are suffering from eye strain, you may notice discomfort in your eyes. These are the following symptoms of eye strain:
- Dry eyes
- Double vision
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision
- Have trouble focusing
- Photophobia or increased light sensitivity
- Headaches
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Tired eyes
- Burning or stinging feeling
- Itchy eyes
If you started displaying symptoms of eye strain, treat it as soon as possible by making adjustments in your activities.
Treatment for Eye Strain
Eye strain is known to be a temporary condition and it does not damage your eyes. There is no medical treatment to be given but a comprehensive eye exam is advised mostly when you are working on a computer. There are some recommendations that your eye doctor can give to reduce pain and discomfort due to eye strain.
You may not be suffering from eye strain at the moment but it is important that you know how to prevent developing this condition. These are the following techniques that you can do:
- Make sure to update your prescription in eyeglasses or contact lens.
- Blink as often as you can.
- Take breaks from a computer screen.
- Exercise the muscles of your eye.
- Position your screens with the right height and distance from you.
- Do not read texts that are too small.
- If you have dry eyes, use eye drops to keep them moist.
