Everyone’s eyes can feel tired occasionally, but if your symptoms of eye fatigue, blurred vision, or dry eye disrupt your everyday life, it’s time to make a change. Eye strain commonly affects as many as 50 – 90 percent of computer workers.
When the condition progresses, it can cause more serious side effects and keep you from doing the things you love. Thankfully, there are treatment options to get your eyes feeling better again. The dedicated doctors at Florida Eye Specialists are here to help.
Causes of Eye Strain
The first step to solving your eye strain is identifying its causes. One of the most common ways your eyes can become strained is by looking at a computer screen for too long.
High screen time and blue light exposure prevent us from blinking as often as our eyes need to stay hydrated. Driving, damage from UV rays, and reading for long periods can also cause the condition.
Some people are at higher risk because of a family history of eye disease or other underlying conditions, such as diabetes. Lifestyle choices like smoking can impact risk as well. In fact, smoking increases your risk of eye disease by over 50 percent.
Eye Strain Symptoms & Side Effects
Eye strain affects more than your ability to see clearly. Symptoms of dry, itchy eyes, physical eye fatigue, dizziness, and eye redness can disrupt your day-to-day activities.
Twitching eyelids are another common side effect and a clear indicator of eye strain due to stress. Eye twitching can last for hours or even days and should be evaluated by your doctor immediately to find a treatment that works for you.
Protecting Your Eyes From Strain
You can incorporate many habits into your daily routine to reduce symptoms like dry eye, itching, and eye strain headaches.
Improve Your Diet & Stress
First, take the time to improve your diet and lower your daily stress levels. Try incorporating foods into your diet that are rich in vitamin A, such as leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and more. Reduce your stress levels and give yourself daily eye breaks by exercising or spending time outdoors.
Reduce Damage From Screen Time
Because prolonged screen time is the most common cause of eye strain, most computer workers experience this condition. If you spend all day on your computer, take a break from the screen by following the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, focus your eyes on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give them the break they need. Be sure to blink often to clean and hydrate the surface of your eyes, and try investing in computer eyewear like blue light glasses.
Schedule Your Annual Eye Exam
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam to catch symptoms early and avoid worsening pain or damage. Eye conditions are most treatable in their earliest stages. As soon as signs of eye strain begin, it is important to seek treatment as quickly as possible to find relief and solutions that work for you.
Visit Florida Eye Specialists
Eye strain has become more common as our world revolves around technology. The good news is there are many treatment options to keep your eyes healthy and safe. Schedule an appointment with Florida Eye Specialists today.
Your eye health is directly correlated with your quality of life. When vision is impaired, it can severely impact your quality of life in a number of ways. Strained eyes can result in headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness. Symptoms of eye strain and poor overall eye health have the potential to become disruptive during everyday activities.