You’ve finished a long day of work, staring at your computer screen for hours, and now your eyes feel tired and gritty. This is a common concern our team at Henderson Vision Centre hears about, and it often happens when you use your eyes intensely for a long time without a break, especially on screens.
While the feeling is uncomfortable, it’s usually temporary. In most cases, eye strain goes away within an hour or so after you rest your eyes, but if the discomfort continues for several hours or days, it may be time to see an eye care professional.
What Is Eye Strain and What Causes It?
Your eyes, just like any other part of your body, can get tired. When you focus on a single task, like reading, driving, or looking at a device, your eye muscles work hard. If you do this for too long without a rest, those muscles can become fatigued, leading to discomfort.
Common Causes
Eye strain can happen for many reasons, but some of the most common include:
- Focusing on 1 task for an extended period
- Reading or working in light that is too dim or too bright
- Feeling stressed or tired
- Having an uncorrected vision problem
- Sitting with poor posture while you use a computer
- Blinking less often than usual
- Holding a phone or tablet too close or too far from your eyes
Signs and Symptoms of Eye Strain
The signs of eye strain are not always limited to your eyes. The discomfort can show up in other ways, affecting your head, neck, and even your ability to focus your thoughts. Keep an eye out if you notice 1 or more of these symptoms after a long day of concentration:
- Sore, tired, or achy eyes
- Blurred or double vision
- Dry or watery eyes
- Headaches
- Soreness in your neck, shoulders, or back
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Difficulty with concentration
The Duration of Eye Strain
There isn’t a strict timeline for how long eye strain lasts because it depends on the cause and what you do to help with it. For many people, symptoms improve quickly with stepping away from the screen, closing their eyes, or looking at something far away.
If your eye strain lingers for hours or becomes a daily problem, it’s a sign that your eyes might benefit from a professional assessment. Persistent discomfort that doesn’t go away with rest suggests that your eyes are working too hard to compensate for an underlying issue that needs attention.
Conditions Linked to Persistent Eye Strain
When eye strain becomes a constant companion, it could be a symptom of an eye condition. Your eyes might be struggling to focus properly, which can put continuous stress on your eye muscles. Several common vision problems can contribute to this ongoing fatigue.
Dry Eye Disease
Your eyes need a healthy layer of tears to stay comfortable and clear. When they don’t produce enough tears or the right quality of tears, the surface can become irritated. This condition, known as dry eye, often causes a gritty sensation, redness, and symptoms similar to eye strain.
Myopia, or Nearsightedness
If you have myopia, objects in the distance appear blurry. You may find yourself squinting to see things far away, like a road sign or a presentation screen. This constant effort to bring things into focus can cause headaches and tired eyes.
Hyperopia, or Farsightedness
With hyperopia, close-up objects appear out of focus. Your eyes have to work much harder to see a book, phone screen, or computer monitor clearly. This extra effort can easily lead to eye strain and fatigue, especially after reading or screen use.
Presbyopia
As people get older, the lenses inside their eyes naturally become less flexible. This change, called presbyopia, makes it difficult to focus on nearby objects. You might find yourself holding menus or your phone at arm’s length to see them, and if left untreated, it can cause symptoms similar to eye strain.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism happens when your eye’s cornea (the clear outer layer) or lens has an irregular curve. This shape can disrupt light entering the eye, causing blurry vision at all distances. Your eyes constantly try to adjust to fix the blur, which is a common source of long-term eye strain.
How to Reduce and Prevent Eye Strain
You can take simple, practical steps to give your eyes the support they need and reduce discomfort. Here are a few strategies to try:
- Take frequent breaks: Use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet away for a full 20 seconds. This simple trick helps your eye muscles relax.
- Adjust your screen: Keep your computer monitor about an arm’s length away. You can also adjust the brightness and contrast of your screen to match the lighting in your room.
- Use eye drops: Make a conscious effort to blink more, as this naturally helps lubricate your eyes. Over-the-counter eye drops can also help keep your eyes moist and comfortable.
- Improve air quality: Dry air can make eye strain worse. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can help slow down the evaporation of your tears.
- Wear proper eyewear: If you have an uncorrected vision problem, your eyes are working overtime. The correct prescription glasses or contact lenses can do the hard work for them, helping to ease the strain with proper eyewear.
When to See Your Eye Doctor
While these tips can offer some relief, they don’t always address the factors contributing to the problem. If you experience persistent eye strain, headaches, or blurred vision, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment. A comprehensive eye exam is a straightforward way to find out what might be causing your discomfort.
Schedule Your Eye Exam
An eye doctor in Winnipeg can help identify if an uncorrected vision problem or an underlying condition is contributing to your symptoms. Our team at Henderson Vision Centre understands how frustrating eye strain can be, but we want you to know that with personalized attention and a detailed assessment, you can get on the path to relief. Schedule your eye exam today.
