How to Prevent Eyestrain and Fatigue

Are screens taking up a lot of your time? You may be stressing your eyes out by looking at your computer, phone, tablet, or TV. This can cause eyestrain and fatigue, harming your vision and overall health.

Eyestrain and fatigue are common problems in the digital age. They can cause symptoms such as:

Dry or watery eyes.
Burning or itching eyes.
Blurred or double vision.
Headache.
Neck, shoulder, or back pain.
Sensitivity to light.
Difficulty concentrating.
Feeling tired or sleepy.

Eyestrain and fatigue are not severe, but they can be uncomfortable and interfere with your work and daily activities.

What Causes Eyestrain and Fatigue?

Eyestrain and fatigue are caused by overusing your eyes for a long time without a break. Some of the common causes are:

Reading, writing, or working on a screen for hours.
Driving or traveling for long distances.
Being in a dimly or brightly lit environment.
Having poor vision or eye problems.
Being stressed or tired.

If you do not give your eyes enough rest, they can become irritated and inflamed. This can affect your vision and cause pain and discomfort.

How to Prevent Eyestrain and Fatigue

Your eyes need your care and rest to avoid eyestrain and fatigue. Try these tips to keep them healthy and happy:

Give Your Eyes a Break

Every 20 minutes or so, focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will ease the tension in your eye muscles and lower your eyestrain. Do not stare at screens for too long without a pause. Take a 10-minute break every hour and do something different. You can stretch your body, walk around, drink water, or close your eyes.

Set Up Your Screen Properly

Place your screen at a comfortable distance and height for your eyes. It should be about an arm’s length away and slightly below eye level. You can also make your screen more readable by changing its brightness, contrast, and font size.

Work in Good Lighting

Avoid working in places that are dark or too bright. Use natural light, or use lamps that provide soft and even lighting. Avoid glare from windows or lights using curtains, blinds, or shades. You can also use an anti-glare screen protector for your devices.

Blink More

Blinking helps keep your eyes moist and prevent dryness. When using screens, you tend to blink less than usual. This can cause dry eyes, which can lead to irritation and inflammation. To avoid this, blink more and use artificial tears if needed.

Wear Glasses or Contacts

Wear glasses or contacts to fix your vision if you have poor eyesight or eye problems. This will prevent you from squinting or straining your eyes to see clearly. Wear glasses that block blue light, the type of light that comes from digital devices. Blue light can cause eyestrain and mess up your sleep cycle.

Visit an Eye Doctor

If you have constant or severe eyestrain and fatigue, visit an eye doctor for a checkup. They can check your eyes and discover any underlying conditions causing your symptoms. They can also prescribe the proper treatment for you.

Conclusion

Eyestrain and fatigue are common issues in the digital age. They can affect your vision and your overall health. You can prevent them by caring for your eyes and giving them enough rest. Remember that your eyes are precious and need your attention. By following these tips, you can keep them healthy and happy.

For more eye care tips, visit Drs. Hiura & Hiura Optometrists at our San Francisco, California office. Call (415) 776-2352 to schedule an appointment today.