What is eye fatigue, symptoms, causes, treatments and more

Currently, stress is considered as one of the greatest evils of mankind. As much as it is not considered a disease, it can cause several problems in our organism, thus impairing our quality of life. And one of them is eye fatigue – or tired eyes and, in medical terms, asthenopia. Eye fatigue is characterized mainly by constant tiredness , headaches and blurred vision, and affects about 50% to 90% of the population that works with the computer.

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What is Eye Fatigue?

Eye fatigue occurs when an activity requires a lot of vision, such as driving, reading or exposure for hours on end in front of digital devices. As the eyes are not made to fix a single point, which is close to the individual, for long periods, they get tired and, through imperceptible adjustments, called microflutuations, an internal muscle of the eye adapts to obtain focus. It is from this that the symptoms of eye fatigue appear.

What are the causes of Eye Fatigue?

The cause of the problem can be divided into two groups: from an eye disease and excessive fatigue of the eye system.

Eye disease

Errors in vision, such as myopia , astigmatism and hyperopia, when not corrected can cause additional strain on the eyeball. As a result of these errors, eye fatigue is present.

Read more: What are the symptoms of Astigmatism?

Excessive fatigue of the eye system

Any activity that requires a lot of eye activity can cause symptoms of eye fatigue. In addition, exposure to too much or too little light can also cause the condition.

With the advancement of digital technology, most cases of eye fatigue are related to work or play. Some examples of this are:

  • Computers;
  • Tablets;
  • Smartphones;
  • Video-games.

How is eyestrain manifested?

As much as the condition manifests itself in the eyes, symptoms of eye fatigue can usually affect other limbs besides them:

  • Headache;
  • Pain in the eyes;
  • Red eyes;
  • Eye irritation;
  • Dry or watery eyes;
  • Blurry or double vision;
  • Increased sensitivity to light;
  • Pain in the neck, shoulders or back;
  • Difficulty concentrating.

In addition to these symptoms, tremors or involuntary contractions of the eyelids may also be recurrent, serving as a warning that the body is at the height of stress and tiredness.

What is the diagnosis?

When any of these symptoms of eye fatigue appear, you should seek help from an eye specialist, an eye specialist. He, through questions and visual examinations, will be able to tell you precisely if you are suffering from eye fatigue.

And treatment and prevention, how is it done?

The treatment for eye fatigue depends a lot on its cause. If it is caused as a result of an illness, the patient must wear glasses or contact lenses. But, if it is caused by excessive fatigue, the best treatment to do is to adapt some measures in your routine.

Make changes to your computer screen

  • Place it 50 to 70 cm away and slightly below eye level.
  • Clean dust and fingerprints regularly. Smudges on the screen can reduce contrast and increase problems such as glare and reflections.
  • Prefer screens that have tilt and rotation.
  • Consider using a glow filter on the screen.

Make changes to your work environment

  • Change the lighting, causing additional glare and reflections to be eliminated.
  • Use an adjustable chair.

Make changes to your work habits

  • Try the 20-20-20 rule, that is, after every 20 minutes of work, take your eyes off the screen for approximately 20 seconds, focusing on something that is more than 6 meters away.
  • Post a note next to the monitor that says “Blink”, so you can remember to blink more often.
  • Take regular breaks.

Take care of your eyes

  • Make compresses with warm water on the closed eyes.
  • Use artificial tears to lubricate your eyes whenever they are dry – but be sure to consult with an ophthalmologist first.
  • Use an air humidifier while working to make the air more humid. If you don’t have one, place a glass of water next to the computer screen, it also helps.

Attention! 

NEVER self-medicate or stop using a medication without first consulting a doctor. Only he will be able to tell which medication, dosage and duration of treatment is the most suitable for his specific case. The information contained on this site is only intended to inform, not in any way intended to replace the guidance of a specialist or serve as a recommendation for any type of treatment. Always follow the instructions on the package insert and, if symptoms persist, seek medical or pharmaceutical advice.

If even with all these tips the tiredness does not go away, immediately turn to a specialist you trust. Eye fatigue is increasingly recurrent among people and deserves due attention to symptoms and treatments.

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