What you need to know about eyestrain
- Posted on: Jun 15 2020
Too much time with digital devices, driving long distances, and reading without taking breaks to rest your eyes are some of the most common causes of eyestrain. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of eyestrain and take steps to reduce the unpleasant feeling of eyestrain.
What are the symptoms of eyestrain?
Eyestrain can present in several ways, including:
- Dry, tired eyes
- Itching, burning eyes
- Watery eyes
- Blurred or double vision
- Headache
- Soreness in the neck, back or shoulders
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Difficulty keeping eyes open
- Difficulty concentrating
What can I do to reduce eyestrain?
Since extended use of computers and other digital devices is one of the most common causes of eyestrain, there are numerous things you can do to relieve or prevent symptoms, including:
- Use artificial tears to relieve dry eyes.
- Blink more often to lubricate your eyes.
- If you’re using a computer, place the monitor about an arm’s length or 25 inches away from your face and keep the screen just below eye level. Adjust the contrast, brightness and color temperature and increase the text size.
- Adjust lighting depending on your activity. If you’re reading, for example, the light source should be behind you with the light on the reading material in front of you.
- Take a break every 20 minutes by looking at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. For every two hours you are using a device, take a break for at least 15 minutes.
While eyestrain is annoying but not usually serious, in some cases the signs and symptoms can indicate an underlying condition that requires treatment. That’s why you need to get regular eye exams. An eye exam can help diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases at their earliest stages for the best outcomes. During your exam, your eye doctor may recommend that you get glasses or contact lenses designed specifically for computer work.
Regularly seeing your eye doctor is the best way to protect and prolong the health of your eyes. To schedule an eye exam with Physicians Eye Clinic, contact our Everett office at (425) 259-2020.
Posted in: Eye Care, Routine Eye Care
