Also known as eye fatigue, eye strain is a common condition that occurs when the eyes experience overuse-related tiredness. While it won't damage your vision, this issue does cause discomfort that can make doing various tasks more challenging. Learn more about eye strain here, including its causes and what you can do to avoid it.

What Are the Causes and Symptoms?

Eye strain occurs when you use your eyes for an extended period, such as when driving, working at a computer, using a smartphone or tablet, reading, or writing. Symptoms can include facial pain, dry eyes, headaches, watery eyes, blurry vision, eye irritation, light sensitivity, and pain in the neck, shoulders, and back. Insufficient light, like when you work on a laptop for hours in a dimly-lit room, also exacerbates eye strain. Other factors include not blinking enough while staring at a screen or driving; holding a digital device too close or too far; and general fatigue, which makes concentrating require extra effort. 

How Can Eye Strain Be Prevented?

To avoid strain-related symptoms, occasionally look away from the screen or other up-close focus you are concentrating on to give your eyes a break. Consider following the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away from what you're doing and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

It is also helpful to work, read, and watch television in good lighting, and to blink regularly. Blinking keeps your eyes lubricated so they don't become dry and irritated. You can also add a humidifier to your home or work environment to avoid dry eye-related redness and irritation.

Other preventive measures include using eye drops and positioning screens so they are at or a little below eye level. Watching a screen that is too high or too low taxes the eyes more than necessary. If your strain symptoms do not improve despite taking these steps, see an eye doctor. An incorrect prescription could be the issue, causing the eyes to overcompensate and experience strain.

Whether you have persistent eye strain symptoms or simply need an eye exam, make an appointment at Northern Lights Eye Care in Anchorage, AK. Offering services to area residents of all ages, this vision center provides quality services such as quick prescription turnarounds, treatment for degenerative eye diseases, eye surgery, and more. Call (907) 276-3937 today to schedule your appointment, or learn more about vision care services online.