Eyestrain
DEFINITION
Eyestrain occurs when your eyes get tired from intense use, such as driving a car for extended periods, reading or working at a computer.
Although eyestrain can be annoying, it usually isn’t serious and goes away once you rest your eyes. In some cases, signs and symptoms of eyestrain can indicate an underlying eye condition that needs treatment. Although you may not be able to change the nature of your job or all the factors that can cause eyestrain, you can take steps to reduce eyestrain.
CAUSES
Common causes of eyestrain include:
- Extended use of a computer or digital electronic devices
- Reading for extended periods
- Other activities involving extended periods of intense focus and concentration, such as driving a vehicle
- Exposure to bright light or glare
- Straining to see in very dim light
- Using a computer for long periods is one of the most common causes of eyestrain. This type of eyestrain is called computer vision syndrome. In some cases, an underlying eye problem such as eye muscle imbalance or uncorrected vision can cause or worsen computer eyestrain.
SYMPTOMS
Eyestrain signs and symptoms include:
- Sore, tired, burning or itching eyes
- Watery eyes
- Dry eyes
- Blurred or double vision
- Headache
- Sore neck
- Sore back
- Shoulder pain
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Difficulty focusing
Computer use or the use of other digital electronic devices can cause many of these symptoms.
When to see a doctor
If home treatments don’t work to relieve your eyestrain symptoms, see your eye doctor. See your doctor if you have ongoing symptoms that may include:
- Eye discomfort
- A noticeable change in vision
- Double vision
- Headache
