Eyestrain

What You Should Know about Eyestrain

Eyestrain can cover a multitude of eye problems from mild eye strain and more. You may sense burning, numbness, sharp pains, dull pains, watery eyes, blurring, double vision, headaches, and tics. Any eye discomfort caused by reading or looking at something is called eyestrain.

When using computers your vision may be compromised by:

Glare - the brightness difference between the screen and its surroundings
The distance between the eyes and the screen or document.
The ease of reading the screen or document and the suitability of spectacles or contact lenses

Direct glare from light shining directly into the eye ceiling lights or bright windows. Cover your eyes with your hands and see if you get immediate relief.

Reflected glare from computer screens can cause eyestrain without being realised.

How much light is right for you? Your age, the quality of the book you're reading, and much more come into play here.. There should be plenty of light for easy reading, but too much can cause eyestrain.

Eyes are strained more by close viewing than by distant viewing. The correct distance for computer screens is down to how clearly you can read them at a certain distance. As far away as possible provided it can be comfortable read is a good way to avoid eyestrain.

From Janith, Sri Lanka: for eye strain - Boil a half teaspoon fennel seeds in a cup of water until it is reduced to half. Strain the solution and use as eye drops.

If you're over age 40, eyestrain may also be a sign that you need reading glasses or have chronically dry eyes for some reason. Generally, though, eyestrain stems from overuse. So the solutions are simple. First, close your eyes. Shutting your eyes for a few minutes, or even several seconds, will refocus them and ease the strain. Second, blink a lot. Each blink soothes and moistens the eyes and eases tight eye muscles. Third, use artificial tears. Eyes tend to get dry when they're strained and dryness can cause eyestrain. Next to blinking, artificial tears are the easiest way to remoisten your eyes and ease the strain.