How Your Optometrist Can Help with Eye Strain
Sore, tired eyes after reading, driving, or focusing could be a sign you have eye strain. If you frequently experience eye strain symptoms, it's time to pay a visit to the optometrist. Your eye doctor provides treatments and strategies that could improve your eye comfort and reduce strain.
What Are the Symptoms of Eye Strain?
Eye strain may make your eyes feel tired or heavy and cause these symptoms:
- Burning or Irritated Eyes
- Watery Eyes
- Blurry Vision, Particularly When Focusing
- Trouble Keeping Your Eyes Open
- Headaches
- Tight Neck and Shoulder Muscles
Common causes of eye strain include:
- Use of Digital Devices. Eye strain is common among people who use cellphones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers. That's not surprising, since the average American now spends about 7 hours daily using screens, according to the American Optometric Association. The words on a screen aren't as crisp and clear as those on a page, which means your eyes must work harder when focusing on text, games, or reports.
- Poor Lighting. Glare or dim lighting can strain your eyes. Glare can come from the sun, overhead lights, or screens.
- Screen Distance Issues. Eye strain could also be related to the way you view screens or hold digital devices. Your eyes have to work harder if your computer screen is too high or low or you hold your phone too close to your face.
- Dry Eyes. Blinking slows down when people use digital devices. Blinking spreads lubricating tears over the surface of the eye, keeping the eyes moist and comfortable.
- Intense Focusing. Any activity that requires you to remain focused for a long time can trigger eye strain symptoms. You may be more likely to develop symptoms after driving or reading for hours or focusing intently on a woodworking or needlework project.
- Vision Problems. Eye strain can also happen if you need glasses or contact lenses or it's time to update your current prescription. Myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) can make focusing difficult, as can astigmatism and presbyopia. You may also experience eye strain if there's a problem with eye muscle coordination or eye alignment.
- Environmental Factors. Smoke, allergens, dust, or dry air irritate the eyes and can be factors in eye strain.
5 Ways Your Optometrist Can Help You Ease Eye Strain
If eye strain is a frequent problem for you, give your eye doctor a call. During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will evaluate your focusing ability, test your vision, and assess your overall eye health. After the eye exam, your doctor may make one or more suggestions, including:
- Keeping Your Eyes Moist. Your optometrist may recommend increasing moisture and lubrication with artificial tears or eye drops. Using a humidifier can also be helpful during the winter or other times when the air may be dry.
- Updating Your Prescription. Tweaking your current contact lens or eyeglass prescriptions (or providing a new prescription if you've never worn glasses) improves the sharpness of your vision and may make focusing more comfortable. If your contact lenses make your eyes feel too dry, your optometrist can recommend lenses that preserve moisture.
- Following the 20-20-20 Rule. The 20-20-20 rule reduces strain by giving your eye muscles frequent breaks. Follow the rule by looking away from your screens every 20 minutes. Focus on something about 20 feet in the distance for at least 20 seconds during these breaks.
- Trying Vision Therapy. Vision therapy may be helpful if an eye muscle coordination or eye alignment issue causes a focusing problem. The therapy uses exercises and activities that improve focusing and other visual skills. Your eye doctor may recommend helpful exercises or refer you to a vision therapist.
- Making Lifestyle Changes. Changing the height of your screens or the position of your cellphone could improve your eyestrain symptoms. Your eye doctor can also provide suggestions on ergonomics, lighting, and ideal reading distances.
Ready to improve your eye strain symptoms? Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.
Sources:
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Strain: How to Prevent Eye Discomfort, 5/5/2023
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-eye-strain
American Optometric Association: Computer Vision Syndrome
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome?sso=y
Mayo Clinic: Eye Strain, 7/2/2024
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eyestrain/symptoms-causes/syc-20372397
CNET: Try These Simple Tips to Beat Eye Strain, 8/9/2024
https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/how-to-beat-eye-strain-according-to-optometrists/