Eyestrain is common, but it can generally be treated with simple, noninvasive methods, like adjusting your screen, using eye drops, or taking visual breaks.
Your eyes may feel tired or irritated after focusing intensely on an activity like viewing a computer screen, reading a book, or driving a car for a long period of time. This is known as eyestrain. Eyestrain caused by the use of digital devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets is better known as computer vision syndrome or digital eyestrain.
Eyestrain is a common condition, though prolonged eyestrain or eye irritation may be a sign of something more serious and should be discussed with your doctor.
Read on for some simple things you can do to help prevent eyestrain. Some of them you can even start doing today.
Eyestrain can occur when you engage in a single activity for a long period of time without a break. You should shift your focus to something other than the activity every 20 minutes. What you focus on should be 20 feet away, and you should look at it for at least 20 seconds. This is known as the
You should not only look away every 20 minutes, but also make sure to turn away from an intense activity for several hours during the day. If you have to work at a screen or drive a long distance for multiple hours, make sure to balance that activity with others that demand different uses of your eyes. For example, take a walk outside in the natural light during your lunch break if you’ve spent the whole morning working on a computer.
If you regularly use a digital device, make sure you’re looking at it at the correct distance and in the proper position. The screen should be a few feet away from your eyes or about arm’s length. You should view the screen at the level of your eyes or slightly below them.
This goes for handheld digital devices, too: They should be read at below eye level.
Another handy tip for digital devices is to enlarge the text on the screen to best suit your comfort level. You can likely adjust the text size in your device’s settings.
Lighting can cause eyestrain. It can either be too dim or too bright, depending on the activity. Light should come from behind you if you’re focusing intensely on something like reading. Dimming the lights may help reduce eyestrain when watching TV.
Make sure the screens you’re viewing are adequately lit as well. Adjust the brightness as needed. Glare
It’s common to need to use printed matter or other materials when working on a computer. For example, you may need to transcribe a form or notes. If you have to refer to documents and such while using your computer, you should position them to avoid having to move your eyes, neck, and head too frequently. A document stand can help you place materials between your keyboard and your monitor, resulting in less eyestrain.
Intense focus, particularly when viewing a screen, can result in a dramatic reduction in how many times you blink per minute. When you blink less, your eyes can get dry and irritated. You
You may find that you spend time in a place that has poor air quality. Dry or polluted environments and places with fans and heating and cooling units may irritate or dry out your eyes, leading to eyestrain. You may want to:
- moisten the air with a humidifier
- turn down the heating and cooling system
- relocate to a spot that doesn’t have the same air issues
Work with an eye doctor to determine if you need special eyewear to reduce eyestrain. You may even need specialized lenses, devices, or eye therapy for the activity that causes strain.
Certain lens coatings and tints may help your eyes. Or you may find that you need to reduce the time you wear contact lenses to help rest your eyes.
In many cases, changes like the ones noted previously are all you’ll need to make to treat eyestrain. If you experience eyestrain that’s severe or lasts a long time, discuss the condition with a doctor. You may need corrective lenses, or it could be a symptom of a more serious condition.
Maintaining your eye health is key to reducing more serious vision problems in the future. You should see a doctor annually to have your eyes checked, especially if you experience frequent or long-lasting eyestrain. If you find you have symptoms of eyestrain, try some of the above methods to reduce eyestrain or prevent it altogether.
If you find that these approaches don’t help your eyestrain, speak with a doctor.