Eye strain (asthenopia), or eye fatigue, occurs when your eyes become tired, sore, heavy, or achy after focusing on a task for too long and becoming overworked. These symptoms develop when the muscles around your eyes become fatigued.
Eye fatigue is usually temporary and should improve on its own if your eyes are given a chance to rest. Eye strain does not permanently harm your eyes or affect your vision.
Symptoms
Eye fatigue symptoms may include:
• Sore, itching or burning eyes
• Watery or dry eyes
• Tired or heavy eyelids that may be difficult to keep open
• Blurred or double vision
• Difficulty focusing
• Eye or eyelid spasms
• Headache
• Neck, shoulder, or back pain
• Increased sensitivity to light
Causes
There are several factors that can cause eye fatigue. The most common causes of eye fatigue are:
• Use of screened devices such as computers, smartphones, or television without regular breaks.
• Prolonged focus on reading materials.
• Driving for long distances.
• Straining to see in low light.
• Glare or very bright light.
• Being exposed to dry, circulating air.
• Stress or tiredness.
Ocular Surface Disease
Some people suffer from what is known as an ocular surface disease, a disease that makes the surface of the eye dry out more quickly than usual and can cause difficulty in focusing on objects. With this disease the eye’s surface doesn’t have enough natural lubrication. This means that the eye’s surface film is prone to tear and cannot easily repair itself. This dryness causes the eyes to feel drained and tired, and results in eye fatigue.
Prevention
The best way to combat eye fatigue is through prevention and by making small changes to your behaviour and environment.
• Take regular breaks when looking at a screen, book, or anything that requires your eyes to focus for an extended period.
• Wear appropriate prescription eyewear.
• Place digital screens further away from you, further than you would position reading material. Ensure screens are clean and match the display brightness to your surroundings.
• Maintain eye moisture by blinking regularly (we often blink less when focusing) and use eye drops that improve eye lubrication or prevent dry eyes.
• Point fans or heaters that circulate air away from your face and use a humidifier if your environment feels too dry.
• Reduce exposure to glare by adjusting the lighting around you to cut down on the glare coming from your computer screen. Think about installing a dimmer switch to cut down on glare, or a glare filter on to your monitor.
• If you wear contact lenses, give your eyes a break by wearing your glasses.
• Have regular eye exams.
If you’re still experiencing eye fatigue after following the steps above, consult your optometrist.
Eye strain is common, especially in people with uncorrected vision problems. If you’re experiencing frequent eye strain, you could have a vision problem and need to be seen by an optometrist as soon as possible.
