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Published on March 30, 2023
Best tips to prevent eye fatigue
Eye fatigue is a common condition affecting many people in North America. If your eyes feel tired, dry, and irritated, it may be due to eye or visual fatigue. Usually, this exhaustion occurs after extended periods of looking at digital screens.
While eye fatigue is not serious, it can be very uncomfortable. There are many ways to prevent or relieve eye fatigue. Read on to learn the details.
What causes eye fatigue?
Some common causes of eye fatigue and eye strain are:
1- Prolonged use of digital devices
When we look at digital screens for prolonged periods, we tend to blink less frequently, which causes our eyes to become dry and irritated. Additionally, our eyes work harder to focus on the tiny pixels that make up digital text and images. This constant focusing and refocusing can cause eye strain and fatigue.
2- Extended reading or writing
Our eyes can become dry and irritated when we read or write for an extended period. When we read or write, we often hold our devices or books at a fixed distance, which can cause the eye muscles to become fatigued.
3- Bright lights and poor lighting
Eyes work harder to adjust to the intense light, leading to eye fatigue, headaches, and muscle tension. In addition, if you work in an environment with harsh overhead lighting or poor lighting, it can create glare on your computer screen, which can cause additional eye strain.
4- Uncorrected vision problems
Individuals who are nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatism may experience eye strain when focusing on objects at certain distances.
5- Poor posture
Poor posture or holding your head at an awkward angle while reading or using a computer can cause strain on your neck, shoulders, and eyes. For example, if you are slouching in your chair, you may be too close or too far away from your computer screen, which can make it harder to focus your eyes and cause eye fatigue.
6- Environmental factors
Air conditioning, smoke, or dust exposure can also cause eye strain by triggering allergic reactions that lead to eye irritation and discomfort. This can cause the eyes to become red, itchy, and swollen, which can lead to eye strain.
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Common eye fatigue symptoms
You can experience one or more of these eye strain symptoms:
Sore/tired eyes
Dry eyes
Watery eyes
Itching/burning eyes
Blurred/double vision
Sensitivity to light
Sleepy eyes
Headache/dizziness
Sore neck and backIssues in concentrating
Tips to preventing eye strain
These valuable tips can help prevent eye fatigue:
1- Adjust computer screen brightness
Adjust your computer’s screen brightness to help improve reading conditions and minimize eye stress. Using a glare filter on a computer screen can also decrease eye tiredness.
2- Make your work environment more comfortable
Use an adjustable desk to work at the correct angle while keeping the computer screen at a suitable height that doesn’t stress your eyes.
3- Remember the 20-20-20 rule
Following the 20-20-20 rule can help reduce eye strain stress. This rule advises taking a break after 20 minutes of working at a computer and looking at an item 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It will give your eyes much-needed rest and prevent eye exhaustion.
4- Wear glasses, if needed
Schedule an eye exam with your optometrist to get a diagnosis. Then, one of our opticians will show you the different lenses and options for your needs.
Still have issues with eye fatigue? Schedule an appointment with one of our optometrist to reduce your eye strain symptoms.