Have your eyes ever felt tired or sore while working at your computer, or after reading? Maybe after you were out on the road for an extended amount of time, you noticed you had a bad headache.

Well, you can sigh a breath of relief, because that’s most likely a workplace eye injury known as eye fatigue. While it may be uncomfortable, it normally is not a serious condition and it is extremely common. Office workers, drivers, and students are usually affected by it the most. In fact, a study showed that as many as 57% of students under 30 years of age suffer from eye fatigue.

Now, you’re probably wondering, “What is eye fatigue?”

Ocular fatigue or asthenopia occurs when your eyes become tired from looking intently at something for prolonged increments of time. Luckily, this injury can be reduced or prevented easily.

What are the causes of eye fatigue?

Common causes of this eye injury include:

  • Underlying conditions, like farsightedness or dry eyes
  • Stress or tiredness
  • Activities that require intense focus
  • Looking at a digital device for extended amounts of time
  • Reading for long periods of time, especially in poor lighting
  • Staring to see something in dim or dark settings
  • Exposure to glare or bright light
  • Driving long distances with astigmatism or without taking breaks
  • Working in a setting with dry moving air, like a heater, air conditioning, or fan

What are the symptoms of eye fatigue?

According to the American Optometric Association, there are many different eye fatigue symptoms, including:

  • Eyestrain
  • Dry eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Watery eyes
  • Burning eyes
  • Itchy eyes
  • Difficulty keeping your eyes open
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Headaches
  • Pain or stiffness in the neck and shoulders

If you suffer from eye strain, you may be able by to reduce your symptoms by making simple changes, such as:

  • Wearing your glasses or contacts while working or driving
  • Using eye drops to keep your eyes well-lubricated
  • Following the 20-20-20 rule, which entails taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away from you
  • Adjusting your lighting and computer desk set-up so you may work more comfortably (This includes turning off or blocking out harsh light sources, and setting your computer monitor just below eye level.)
  • Using a humidifier in your workspace to prevent your eye from getting dry
  • Sitting in an adjustable chair with lumbar support
  • Getting anti-glare filters for your digital devices

Still not feeling any relief from your eye fatigue or have concerns about your eyes’ condition? We highly recommend paying a visit to your eye doctor. Our specialists at Vistar Eye Center would be glad to help you out! They will create a treatment plan that’s tailor-made for you and will walk you through every step of the way.

Please don’t wait to contact us. The sooner you come in to see us, the sooner we can get you back to feeling like yourself. You deserve comfort and healthy eyes, and we’re here to help you achieve both!